Project description
Embryonic development timing in fish
During development, the embryo undergoes a coordinated biological process that involves cell differentiation and morphogenesis. While our understanding of the molecular control of cell differentiation is improving, the mechanism and timing of morphogenetic movements remain less clear. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the MorphoPace project aims to delineate gastrulation, a critical early morphogenetic event. To identify the timing and pace of gastrulation, researchers will investigate different fish species, characterise cell and tissue dynamics, and study the role of the environment. Collectively, the work will improve our understanding of key developmental processes.
Objective
Animal development relies on the timely succession of different differentiation, in which cells acquire a certain identity and function, and morphogenetic, in which cells are placed in the part of the animal body, steps. These conserved steps follow a highly stereotypical timing among animals of the same species, but, remarkably, it varies significantly across species. For example, gastrulation, the first morphogenetic movement shaping the embryo, takes 2.5x longer in medaka (Oryzias latipes) than zebrafish (Danio rerio) in the same conditions. Although these differences are well known, it remains unclear how time is kept during development. Recent work has shown that molecular differences between species define the pace of differentiation. It is unclear, however, how these scale up to set the pace of morphogenesis, a collective process that happens across embryos, and set by active cell movements and resisting tissue material properties. With this project, I aim to understand these pace morphogenesis, by comparing gastrulation in two fish species: zebrafish and medaka. Since the latter species remains undescribed, I will first characterize mesendoderm internalization, the opening act of gastrulation. I will map single-cell properties and tissue-scale features, and use a theoretical physics model to make predictions about timing differences between species. Secondly, I will define whether pace is intrinsic to the cells, or set by the native environment, by transplanting cells between embryos of different species, and using zebrafish-medaka hybrids. Finally, I will manipulate the pace of internalization by modulating both intrinsic forces and the tissue state. Altogether, this project will build a way to understand morphogenesis by comparing different fish species, which have broad implications in biology, physics and evolution by uncovering how embryos time development across teleost fish, the largest and most diverse class of vertebrates in the planet.
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 physical sciences astronomy planetary sciences planets
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine embryology
You need to log in or register to use this function
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.
-
HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
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) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
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.
1030 Wien
Austria
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.