Project description
Neuron-glioma interactions for better treatments
Brain tumours are a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in children, with certain aggressive types linked to specific genetic mutations. Among them, H3G34-mutant diffuse hemispheric gliomas (DHGs) affect the cerebral hemispheres and often lead to seizures, making the disease even more devastating. Research suggests that gliomas disrupt neural connections, creating a feedback loop where increased neuronal activity accelerates tumour growth. Despite this, little is known about how neuron-glioma interactions contribute to disease progression. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the GLIO-NET project aims to develop patient-derived models of DHGs using cerebral organoids. It will map neuron-glioma synapses and test targeted interventions to uncover new therapeutic strategies to slow tumour growth and reduce seizures.
Objective
Pediatric-type diffuse high-grade gliomas are the primary cause of cancer-related mortality in children and adolescents. The most common and aggressive forms harbor mutually exclusive mutations in histone 3 (H3), involving distinct brain regions and developmental origins. In contrast to other gliomas, GABAergic interneuron progenitors are implicated as the cells of origin for H3G34-mutant diffuse hemispheric gliomas (DHGs), which almost exclusively affect the cerebral hemispheres.
Seizures are a common comorbidity in patients with cortical gliomas, with evidence suggesting that gliomas alter synaptic structures to induce hyperexcitability. Neuronal activity, in turn, accelerates glioma progression through paracrine signaling and neuron-to-glioma synapses. Despite their cortical involvement, high seizure incidence, and poor prognosis, neuron-glioma interactions in DHGs remain understudied.
Human cerebral organoids, pioneered by the Knoblich Lab, recapitulate early brain architecture and circuit assembly via excitatory neurogenesis (dorsal forebrain) and interneuron development (ventral forebrain). Ultimately leading to functional network activity with complex oscillatory dynamics, organoids provide the ideal platform to study brain tumors in the context of network pathologies.
In this project, I will develop patient-derived models of seizure-associated DHGs in brain region specific cerebral organoids to examine neuron-glioma synapses. Using barcoded viral tracing and genetic perturbation screening, I will identify synaptic interaction partners and tumor-specific anti-connectivity targets. Electrophysiological recordings will assess the effects of anti-epileptogenic and anti-tumorigenic perturbations. This work will provide critical insights into neuron-glioma communication and its role in epileptogenesis during tumor progression, with important therapeutic implications.
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)
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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
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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-2024-PF-01
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1030 Wien
Austria
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