Objective
Population statistics demonstrate drastically increased risk of cardiovascular death with increasing body mass index. Given the current obesity epidemic our need to understand the central neuronal pathways regulating energy homeostasis and cardiovascular function could not be greater.
This proposal aims to determine key neuronal pathways mediating melanocortin's autonomic effects on cardiovascular function. It combines molecular genetics and whole animal physiology to advance translational research in the development of effective therapies against obesity-induced hypertension. Recent evidence suggests that both obesity and essential hypertension are associated with increased sympathetic nerve activity. Increased sympatho-activation in obesity-associated hypertension has been linked to increases in central signalling via the melanocortin-4-receptor (MC4R).
We hypothesize that the pressor actions of obesity are mediated via specific MC4Rs on central neurons regulating arterial blood pressure. We will investigate which subpopulation of MC4Rs mediates melanocortin's effects on cardiovascular function using functional genomics approaches, including an MC4R deficient mouse, in which a disrupted MC4R can be reactivated in specific CNS areas by the actions of Cre-recombinase. Using in vivo mouse telemetry we will thus determine the neuronal pathways involved in melanocortin-mediated regulation of cardiovascular function and define the MC4R¿s role in obesity-induced activation of the sympathetic nervous system.
This proposal is absolutely consistent with the Sixth (and future 7th) Framework Programme, placing particular emphasis on functional genomics and the combat against major diseases such as hypertension. Furthermore, it brings significant skills in state-of-the-art generation of mouse models relevant to human disease, in combination with sophisticated physiological techniques to the European Research Area, thereby increasing its attractiveness to young researchers.
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 genetics
- natural sciences biological sciences molecular biology molecular genetics
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine cardiology cardiovascular diseases
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology homeostasis
- medical and health sciences health sciences nutrition obesity
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.
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.
FP6-2004-MOBILITY-12
See other projects for this call
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.
IRG - Marie Curie actions-International re-integration grants
Coordinator
BRISTOL
United Kingdom
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.