Project description
Mechanistic insight into neuronal polarisation
Neurons are highly polarised cells and consist of a single axon and several dendrites, which ensures directional flow of information in the nervous system. Dendrites receive incoming signals while axons transmit these signals to target cells. To address the critical question in neurobiology of how neurons acquire this polarity, the EU-funded SortAx project focuses on the role of endosomes. Researchers are investigating the mechanism by which endosomes sort and traffic proteins to the axon. Results will not only provide fundamental knowledge on neuron biology but will also help understand how these processes lead to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease.
Objective
The high morphological and functional polarization of neuronal processes relies on exquisite mechanisms to accurately sort and traffic proteins to their rightful location. It is therefore of no surprise that accurate formation and function of neuronal circuits depends on these trafficking mechanisms, which are indeed often impaired in neurodegenerative disorders and normal aging.
During the past 30 years, researchers have been able to dissect the mechanisms required to target proteins to the dendritic plasma membrane, however our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the axonal polarization of proteins is rather incomplete. In this regard, a growing number of studies, including my work, suggests that dendritic endosomes are key sorting stations to direct neuronal cargoes to the axon. Yet, the molecular machinery of intracellular trafficking and endosomal sorting required remains to be uncovered.
In this proposal, I hypothesize that dendritic endosomes are key sorting stations for polarization of axonal cargoes. I therefore propose to elucidate the key axonal trafficking pathways of endogenous cargoes, the intracellular trafficking and endosomal machinery involved and assess their importance for axonal development and connectivity. Importantly, I will adopt an unbiased approach using cutting-edge technology to focus on the endogenous protein pool, which differs considerably from prior studies in the field, in which axonal trafficking route has been followed for a limited number of cargoes under overexpression conditions.
Given that abnormal axonal trafficking increases susceptibility to neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer´s and Parkinson, with this project I will also contribute to the design of new therapies to alleviate neurodegeneration by deciphering the molecular mechanisms of axonal cargo trafficking.
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 biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
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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.
3004 517 Coimbra
Portugal
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.