Project description
Uncovering how AMPA receptors affect brain plasticity
Brain plasticity, also known as neuroplasticity, refers to the brain's ability to change and adapt as a result of experience. A known molecular mechanism for synaptic plasticity involves the AMPA glutamate receptor. This is an ionotropic transmembrane receptor for glutamate that mediates fast synaptic transmission in the central nervous system. Its regulation plays an important role in learning and memory. The EU-funded PhotoXLink project will develop novel optogenetic tools (photocrosslinkers) that will specifically recognise AMPA receptor subunits and control their oligomeric state. The new tools will allow researchers to investigate with unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution, the impact of AMPA receptor mobility on short- and long-term brain plasticity.
Objective
The PhotoXLink project aims to develop original tools to elucidate the role of various AMPA receptor mediated forms of plasticity in both physiological and pathological situations. AMPAR is a transmembrane ionotropic receptor for glutamate molecule that mediates most fast excitatory synaptic transmission in the mammalian central nervous system. Its regulation is vital for their synaptic function, which underlies memory and learning theories. In the PhotoXLink project, we propose to engineer novel optogenetic tools (photocrosslinkers) that will specifically recognize AMPAR subunits and control their oligomeric state with spatial and temporal resolution. The photocrosslinkers will hence provide a unique control locally, acutely and in a reversible manner on the mobility and local number of AMPARs. The development of these photocrosslinkers will address current technical limitations and ultimately allow investigating with an unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution the impact of AMPARs mobility in short and long term plasticity in the brain function.
The multidisciplinary nature of the project is strong, involving molecular/cell biology, biochemistry and protein engineering for the design and production of the tools and advanced fluorescence imaging techniques for validating them in cellular context. It will be carried out at an internationally recognized neuroscience institute that will enhance my skills and diversify my individual competences through advanced training and quality research for improving my future career development. My expertise in photochemistry and photobiology combined with the host´s in neurobiology and protein engineering ensures the best chance for successfully fulfil the goals of the PhotoXLink project. This project is in line with the brain research priority for EU research funding.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences neurobiology
- natural sciences chemical sciences physical chemistry photochemistry
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- natural sciences biological sciences cell biology
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2018
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
75794 Paris
France
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.