Project description
How tissue geometry and cell shape guide stem cell fate and positioning
Epidermal stem cells (ESC) commit to differentiate and delaminate from the basal layer to form suprabasal layers while achieving the dynamic turnover and maintenance of the skin barrier function. Cells within the epidermis are constantly exposed to tissue- and cell-scale forces that change cell and nuclear shape and volume. The EU-funded SkinForce project is testing the hypothesis that dynamic cell and nuclear shape changes play a central role in regulating ESC fate and in coupling these changes to cell positioning within the tissue. The research will combine innovative live embryo imaging, quantitative image analysis and a transgenic reporter mice model to decipher the dynamics of epidermal morphogenesis.
Objective
As a self-renewing organ maintained by multiple distinct stem cell populations, the epidermis represents an outstanding, clinically relevant research paradigm to address mechanisms of stem cell regulation. To achieve the dynamic turnover and maintenance of the critical skin barrier function, epidermal stem cells (SC) commit to differentiate and delaminate from the basal layer to form suprabasal layers. What triggers SC differentiation, how the differentiating cells move upwards, and how differentiation and self-renewing divisions are balanced remain key open questions. Cells within the epidermis are constantly exposed to tissue- and cell-scale forces that result in changes in cell and nuclear shape and volume. Based on the emerging role of cell density and size in regulating SC fate, I hypothesize that dynamic nuclear and cell shape changes play central roles in regulating epidermal SC fate and in coupling fate changes to cell positioning within the tissue. By combining an innovative, live embryo imaging pipeline, quantitative image analysis, and theoretical models, I aim to decipher the dynamics of epidermal morphogenesis. Using transgenic reporter mice for the nucleus, plasma membrane, cytoskeleton, and differentiation, I will map large-scale and local mechanical transitions along the developmental timeline and correlate them with nuclear and cell shape changes, cell division, differentiation and delamination. I will combine these quantitative imaging experiments with computational modeling, genetic manipulation of contractility, spatial single cell transcriptomics and in vitro cell biology to discover the cellular and molecular mechanism by which tissue geometry and cell/nuclear shape guide cell fate and dynamic positioning. Altogether, this project will uncover fundamental mechanisms of epidermal stratification during development and homeostasis.
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.
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology genetic engineering
- natural sciences biological sciences cell biology
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology cells technologies stem cells
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine embryology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology homeostasis
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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.
80539 MUNCHEN
Germany
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.