Objective
Myelinated axons are an essential component of the vertebrate nervous system. Myelin is a plasma membrane extension of specialised glial cells that wraps around axons to facilitate the rapid conduction of neuronal impulses. Disruption of myelinated axons contributes to the symptoms of numerous human diseases, such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Our understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms that co-ordinate myelin formation and those that contribute to the progression of human diseases of myelinated axons such as MS remain rudimentary. We have helped establish the zebrafish as a powerful laboratory organism with which to dissect myelin formation. Through a forward genetic screen we identified ten genes essential normal myelinated axon formation. We identified new roles for genes previously implicated in myelinated axon development, isolated two completely novel regulators and identified mutations in four genes relevant to human diseases of myelinated axons. Disruption to the human homologue of one of those genes, kif1b, was recently associated with MS, and our initial studies identified important roles for this protein in myelinated axon formation. In this proposal we ask for support to continue our analysis of kif1b function. Although our genetic screen was a success it did not approach saturation and additional screens would clearly identify other factors essential for myelinated axon development. Gene discovery screens, however, take a long time to carry out, are quite labour intensive and can preclude the identification of mutations in genes required for multiple stages of development. In this proposal we outline novel methodologies to identify protein function in biological processes of interest by combining high-throughput screening of the phenotypic effects of small molecules on zebrafish with cutting edge technology to identify the protein targets of compounds that exert interesting effects.
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 proteins
- medical and health sciences basic medicine neurology multiple sclerosis
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics mutation
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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.
FP7-PEOPLE-2009-RG
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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
EH8 9YL Edinburgh
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.