Objective
Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent, regulated form of cell death marked by lipid peroxidation, with emerging relevance across several diseases like neurodegeneration and therapy-resistant cancer. While lipid peroxidation is central to ferroptosis, the mechanisms underlying its intracellular spread remain poorly understood. Recent findings identify the mitochondrial fission protein DRP1 as a key driver of ferroptosis, linking its established role in mitochondrial dynamics and fragmentation to the regulation and redistribution of peroxidized lipids. However, how DRP1 mechanistically coordinates the spatial and temporal propagation of lipid peroxidation across organelles under ferroptotic conditions remains unresolved.
This project will systematically dissect DRP1's functions in ferroptosis through three integrated objectives: (1) investigating how DRP1 interfaces with key antioxidant systems, including the GPX4-glutathione and FSP1-CoQ10-NAD(P)H pathways, to impact ferroptotic sensitivity and cellular redox balance; (2) elucidating the effects of DRP1-driven mitochondrial remodelling and metabolic reprogramming on lipid peroxidation dynamics and ferroptosis susceptibility and (3) determining whether DRP1 modulates endoplasmic reticulum–mitochondria contact sites (ERMCS) to facilitate lipid peroxidation spread;. Using DRP1 knockout and wild-type cell models, I will combine super-resolution imaging, biochemical fractionation, genetic editing, and metabolic flux analysis to map these processes comprehensively. By clarifying how DRP1 orchestrates mitochondrial dynamics, organelle crosstalk, and lipid homeostasis during ferroptosis, this work aims to uncover novel molecular intervention points for diseases where ferroptosis is either pathogenic or therapeutically exploited.
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 biological sciences neurobiology
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules lipids
- 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)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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
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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-2025-PF
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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.
80539 MUNCHEN
Germany
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.