Project description
Brain dysfunction in myotonic dystrophy
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a genetic disorder caused by the expansion of a non-coding trinucleotide repeat sequence. This disrupts RNA processing, leading to toxic RNA accumulation and altered communication between neurons and glial cells. As a result, DM1 in the brain manifests with cognitive and behavioural impairment. Understanding how these RNA-driven mechanisms affect specific cell populations is essential for developing targeted therapies. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the NEUROGLIOSOLVE project will follow a multidisciplinary approach to map vulnerable brain circuits in a mouse model of the disease. The goal is to identify molecular mediators of neuroglial dysfunction and test novel therapies that could restore normal brain function.
Objective
RNA biology is critical for the molecular orchestration of the interplay between specialized brain cell types, and disrupted RNA processing, can cause human disease. A prime example is Myotonic Dystrophy type 1(DM1), a multisystemic disorder caused by the expansion of a non-coding trinucleotide DNA repeat and that involves cognitive impairment and behavioral changes. Molecular pathogenesis is driven by the nuclear accumulation of RNA foci, which sequester RNA-binding proteins that regulate splicing, polyadenylation and subcellular localization of downstream transcripts. However, we do not know the cell populations, molecular pathways and cell-cell interactions primarily affected in the brain. A critical question to develop effective molecular therapies. My host laboratory developed a unique mouse model of DM1 that mirrors the spatiotemporal expression of toxic RNA and relevant brain phenotypes. Using these mice, I will fill three knowledge gaps:(1) I will employ advanced spatial transcriptomics to unravel the vulnerability of diverse cell types throughout brain development and aging;(2) I will use the TRAP technology to uncover subcellular transcriptomic abnormalities in specialized neuron-astrocyte contacts and identify pivotal disease intermediates of neuroglial miscommunication;(3) I will use my expertise in AAV-mediated brain gene delivery to test the capacity of engineered protein decoys, developed in my host laboratory, to release the RNA-binding proteins sequestered in brain cells and correct the behavioral, molecular neurobiological deficit in DM1 mice. Through the integration of cutting-edge transcriptomics with a new focus on synaptic neuroglial communication, I will elucidate DM1 brain pathogenesis with unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution, and offer a framework to understand other conditions mediated by toxic RNA repeats, for which DM1 serves as a paradigm. Simultaneously, my project will enhance our understanding of RNA biology in the brain.
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 gene therapy
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics DNA
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics RNA transcriptomes
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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)
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Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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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.
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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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
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(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01
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75654 Paris
France
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