Obiettivo The aim of this proposal is to investigate the physiological relevance of the molecular circadian clockwork expressed in peripheral organs. This question will be addressed in a new and original paradigm: the endocrine pituitary gland. Indeed, several so-called clock genes that form the molecular cogwheels of the biological clock have recently been identified. Surprisingly, besides being activated in structures known to host an internal clock (namely the suprachiasmatic nuclei, SCN, in mammals) they are also expressed in many -if not all- other tissues, among which the pituitary gland where strong oscillations of the clock machinery have been found. Using mutant mice that bear an altered clock, we will research the impact of the clock upon several key parameters of the gland physiology such as electrical activity of endocrine cells and hormonal secretion in basal and stimulated conditions.This project constitutes the frame of a stable research position of the applicant in his native country. It will be achieved thanks to several scientific collaborations at the national, European and worldwide levels. Results obtained from this research are expected to answer critical questions in fundamental chronobiology and cell biology but also, the understanding of the fine mechanisms that pace the daily functioning of organs may have potential important outcomes in modern medicine, e.g. development of chronotherapy. Campo scientifico natural sciencesbiological sciencescell biologymedical and health sciencesbasic medicinephysiologymedical and health sciencesclinical medicineendocrinologynatural sciencesbiological scienceszoologymammalogynatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsenzymes Parole chiave Circadian rhythms cell culture electrophysiology hormone secretion peripheral clocks pituitary tissue slices Programma(i) FP6-MOBILITY - Human resources and Mobility in the specific programme for research, technological development and demonstration "Structuring the European Research Area" under the Sixth Framework Programme 2002-2006 Argomento(i) MOBILITY-4.1 - Marie Curie European Reintegration Grants (ERG) Invito a presentare proposte FP6-2002-MOBILITY-11 Vedi altri progetti per questo bando Meccanismo di finanziamento ERG - Marie Curie actions-European Re-integration Grants Coordinatore INSTITUT NATIONAL DE LA SANTE ET DE LA RECHERCHE MEDICALE. Contributo UE Nessun dato Indirizzo 101 Rue de Tolbiac PARIS Francia Mostra sulla mappa Costo totale Nessun dato
