Project description
Uncovering the secretory pathway’s mechanisms
Although the secretory pathway is well-studied in 2D cultures, less is known about how it responds to physical and environmental forces. Understanding these complex mechanisms and their role in cellular function and pathogenesis could lead to future treatments for diseases such as colorectal cancer. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the MechanoSecret project will study how the Golgi complex, which is at the core of the secretory pathway, responds to external mechanical forces. By investigating the fundamental biology of secretory pathway mechanotransduction in 2D cells, it aims to identify how Golgi dynamics are affected by mechanical forces. Using single-particle tracking in 3D imaging, it will also examine colorectal cancer patient-derived organoids to detect changes in secretion under mechanostimulation.
Objective
Membrane trafficking is fundamental to cellular homeostasis, controlling essential processes ranging from signalling to adaptation to the environment. By regulating secretion, eukaryotic cells modulate plasma membrane composition and the extracellular matrix. Human cells are typically embedded in tissues and constantly experience external forces. While the molecular details of the secretory pathway are well-established in 2D cultures, their response to mechanical cues remains largely unexplored.
This project aims to fill this knowledge gap by investigating how the Golgi complex, the central hub of the secretory pathway, responds to external mechanical forces. Using cutting-edge microscopy, biomaterials, and advanced cell biology, our study will adopt a bottom-up approach. First, we will explore the fundamental biology of the secretory pathway mechanotransduction in 2D polarized and non-polarized cells. Employing super-resolution microscopy and single-particle tracking, we will analyse how external mechanical forces influence Golgi dynamics with unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution. Our second aim extends this research to 3D systems, hypothesizing that inherent forces in these environments affect the secretory pathway. By leveraging colorectal cancer patient-derived organoids, we aim to uncover changes in secretion under mechanostimulation. This project will pioneer single-particle tracking in 3D imaging, integrating expertise from cell biology, optics, and photonics—a synergy uniquely supported by the host institution.
Colorectal cancer, a prevalent and deadly malignancy, suffers from limited therapeutic options due to cellular heterogeneity. By bridging cell biology and biophysics with cancer research, this project holds the potential to identify novel vulnerabilities in colorectal cancer. This study will not only provide fundamental insights into the secretory pathway but also lay the groundwork for future therapeutic strategies against colorectal cancer.
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 optics microscopy super resolution microscopy
- natural sciences biological sciences cell biology
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology colorectal cancer
- natural sciences biological sciences biophysics
- 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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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
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-2024-PF-01
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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.
08002 Barcelona
Spain
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