Project description
The molecular determinants of intestinal epithelial regeneration
The intestinal epithelium is one of the fastest-regenerating tissues in the body. Yet there are many aspects regarding the process of endogenous tissue regeneration that remain unclear. The EU-funded FBXW7-InReg project will focus on the role of specific proteins in intestinal homeostasis. Scientists are working under the hypothesis that particular molecular mechanisms are responsible for aberrant intestinal tissue restoration following injury and may also be the underlying cause of tissue loss seen in patients suffering from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Project results will identify new targets and pave the way for more efficient control of intestinal epithelial repair.
Objective
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a severe disorder affecting millions of people in Europe, characterised by chronic flares of intestinal inflammation and causing tissue loss or malfunction. Currently, the available treatments can only reduce symptoms. New regenerative therapies promoting epithelial functionality are highly needed. Several studies report how upon damage, progenitors or more committed cells re-acquire stemness properties and foetal-like signatures to restore intestinal homeostasis. However, it is still unclear how such regenerative response is modulated and how cells revert to their adult state. Preliminary data from the host lab indicate that loss of expression of FBXW7 protein, member of a E3 ubiquitin ligase complex, reinforces cells in the foetal-like state. Interestingly, FBXW7 mutations are under positive selection in IBD patients. Thus, I propose that upon injury, cells lacking FBXW7 maintain a foetal-like state, where they are refractory to terminal differentiation, increasing the risk of aberrant tissue restoration. To test my hypothesis, I will exploit state-of-the-art in vivo and in vitro models of intestinal regeneration and make use of forefront technologies, such as CRISPR, high-content imaging, mass spectrometry and single cell RNA sequencing. This will allow me to 1. characterise FBXW7 impact on intestinal regeneration, 2. define FBXW7 mode of action in human intestinal cells, and 3. identify FBXW7 substrates as potential targets to restore tissue homeostasis. By addressing these points, it will be possible to obtain key insights into the mechanism of intestinal regeneration and identify ways to efficiently induce and control tissue repair in IBD patients, avoiding the expansion of unrestrained proliferating foetal-like cells. Importantly, leading this action, I will acquire a new set of technical and transferrable skills and reach a deep scientific maturity that will grant me a successful career as future group leader.
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 biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics mutation
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics RNA
- 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.3.6. - SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Europe In A Changing World - Inclusive, Innovative And Reflective Societies
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.
1165 KOBENHAVN
Denmark
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.