Objective
The goal of the proposed project is to elucidate the mechanisms of action of Notch signalling, by using the mouse intestine as a model for studying cell lineage specification and stem cell renewal. I propose experiments aimed at identifying the molecular factors that can influence the choice between differentiation and proliferation and at testing the hypothesis that Notch might have a key role in controlling the proliferative potential of gut stem cells. The Notch signalling pathway plays a central role in mediating cell fate decisions and patterning in Eukaryotes.
Our preliminary results suggest that experimental manipulation of Notch signals could be a promising avenue to influence the fate of gut stem cells that could be used for cell therapy. I will utilize Cre/Lox mice to activate Notch signalling in the adult intestinal epithelium, to test the hypothesis that sustained Notch signals may contribute to neoplastic transformation of intestinal cells. I will then characterize the nature of the undifferentiated gut progenitors that we have shown to be amplified upon Notch activation.
These experiments are aimed at characterizing the growth and differentiation properties of gut stem cells, in order to develop functional assays that will eventually evaluate their plasticity. I also propose experiments aimed at elucidating the non-cell autonomous effects of Notch signals, as well as at clarifying the interplay between the Notch and the Wnt pathways in controlling gut homeostasis. In parallel with the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms through which Notch signals control intestinal cell fate, this project might contribute to the isolation and characterization of adult gut stem cells, which could be used to develop cell therapy strategies. In addition, one of the objectives of this project aims at the identification of reliable markers for intestinal stem cells, a problem that continues to hamper progress and that remains a priority in this field.
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.
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology cells technologies stem cells
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology colorectal cancer
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics mutation
- 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.
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.
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.
FP6-2005-MOBILITY-5
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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.
Coordinator
PARIS
France
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.