Project description
MiRNAs as a tool to reverse demyelination in multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease of the central nervous system characterised by demyelination. The available disease-modifying therapies are unable to induce neurorepair and to prevent the progressive development of disability from neuronal damage. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are known to be involved in the genes–environment interaction leading to MS. The EU-funded MiRepair project aims to identify miRNAs involved in the demyelination/remyelination processes and to modulate their expression to promote neurorepair in MS. The research will combine previous human miRNA data with robust experimental models to identify miRNAs associated with MS. The goal is to use hydrogel scaffolds in combination with miRNA modulators to enhance remyelination in vivo in animal models.
Objective
I hope to embark my first post-doctoral position, as a MSCA fellow, to identify microRNAs (miRNAs) involved in demyelination/remyelination processes with the final intention of modulating their expression as a therapeutic tool to promote neurorepair in multiple sclerosis (MS). MS is a chronic neurological disease of the central nervous system characterised by primary demyelination. All current disease-modifying therapies are unable to induce neurorepair and to prevent the progressive accumulation of disability from neuronal damage. miRNAs are one epigenetic mechanism involved in the genes-environment interaction that produces the pathology and symptoms in MS. My thesis project consists of describing miRNAs profiles in cerebrospinal fluid and serum of MS patients to exploit their potential role as clinical biomarkers. This project will combine these human miRNA data with robust experimental models in order to identify miRNAs involved in the damage and endogenous repair associated with MS. I will employ ex vivo models to study the biological role of miRNAs during these processes and how their manipulation might enhance neurorepair. The use of hydrogel-scaffolds in combination with miRNA modulators to enhance remyelination will be studied and preclinical MS in vivo models will be used to assess their therapeutic potential. I will work at the “microRNA Inflammation Group” in the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) under mentorship of Dr Claire McCoy, a leader of MS research in Ireland. Two secondments have been planned in the National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG) and Queen’s University Belfast (QUB). This fellowship will enable me to upskill in research techniques and expand my transferable skills and competences for a career path for academia or industry in miRNA therapeutics area. This will enhance and contribute to Europe’s competitiveness in R&I supporting European policy objectives as promoting excellence in education and skills development.
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
- medical and health sciences basic medicine neurology multiple sclerosis
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pathology
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
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 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)
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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-2020
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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.
D02 YN77 DUBLIN 2
Ireland
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.