Project description
Neurovascular development in caesarean deliveries
Caesarean section (C-section) deliveries, while often lifesaving, are increasingly performed without medical necessity, flagging concerns about their long-term impact on infant health. One key consequence is the disruption of perinatal gut microbiota, which are crucial in early brain development. Alterations in microbial composition during this sensitive period may impair neurovascular and neuronal maturation. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the AVALON project will investigate how the disruption of microbiota after C-section affects neurovascular development in the hypothalamus and amygdala. Using mouse models, multi-omics analyses, and in vivo imaging, the project aims to identify microbial pathways influencing brain development. Researchers will also test precision probiotics as potential preventive interventions for maintaining microbiota integrity.
Objective
Early postnatal development is a vulnerable period during which environmental faEarly postnatal development is a vulnerable period during which environmental factors significantly influence brain development. Among these factors, the gut microbiota has been found to impact brain function and development. However, there is a lack of mechanistic understanding regarding how changes in early-life microbiota composition can lead to brain dysfunction.
Caesarean-section (C-section) delivery, while life-saving in some cases, is becoming more common even when not medically indicated. This trend raises concerns about the disruption of perinatal microbiota and its potential impact on newborn brain development. My preliminary data showing neurovascular dysfunction in C-section-born neonatal mice support my hypothesis. Building on this foundation, AVALON aims to investigate the interactions between neonatal microbiota and neurovascular development in the hypothalamus and amygdala at molecular and cellular levels. I will utilize a C-section mouse model to disrupt early-life microbiota and assess its impact on neurovascular development through in-vivo tracer imaging and integrated multi-omics analysis. Additionally, I will use a reporter mouse line to trace amygdalar and hypothalamic neuronal populations. I will also identify key microbial functions that modulate neurovascular and neuronal development. Furthermore, I will explore the potential of precision probiotics to mitigate microbiota-induced deficits, offering valuable translational insights.
AVALON will significantly contribute to my career by providing training in both academia and industry, enhancing my research skills, and expanding my professional network. To ensure broad awareness of AVALON's outcomes, a dissemination strategy will be implemented, targeting scientific, public, and industry audiences. The strategy will aim to underscore the critical role of perinatal microbiota in shaping postnatal brain 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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
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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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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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.
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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01
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T12 YN60 Cork
Ireland
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