Single Cell Imaging of Gene Activation during Oxidative Neuron Death: Towards Quantitative Systems Approaches

Objective

Ischaemic stroke and neurodegenerative disorders are leading causes of death and disability and their incidence is rising rapidly due to increases in European life expectancy. Excessive apoptosis is pathogenic when it concerns post-mitotic cells such as neurons; for instance in stroke or neurodegenerative diseases. Oxidative stress is a major contributor to ischemic and neurodegenerative processes; however, the molecular mechanisms and biological switches that determine outcome, i.e. neuronal tolerance or neuronal apoptosis, in response to oxidative stress are not fully characterised. This aim of this project is to analyse these events at the single cell level. The applicant has an excellent track record in the molecular analysis of pro-apoptotic gene activation in response to oxidative stress. Here, we propose to monitor and quantify the activation of cytoprotective (ARE- and HSE-containing) vs. pro-apoptotic (BIM) gene expression in neurons and astrocytes in real-time using GFP-based reporter assays and employing quantitative confocal and epifluorescence microscopy approaches. The quantitative single-cell data obtained will be incorporated into mathematical models of apoptosis activation developed by the host laboratory. The suggested fellowship will advance our understanding of this critically important biological process by allowing for a quantitative analysis of this signalling/gene activation network. The fellow will strongly complement the research activities of the host laboratory, and most importantly, will acquire new skills and be exposed to a unique interdisciplinary training programme. Furthermore, this work could provide important information for the development of new therapeutic strategies for ischemic and neurodegenerative disorders.

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.

• natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy
• medical and health sciences basic medicine neurology stroke
• natural sciences mathematics applied mathematics mathematical model

Keywords

Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)

• Apoptosis
• Astrocytes
• BH3 only proteins
• Cytoprotection
• Gene Activation
• Neurodegeneration
• Neurons
• Oxidative stress
• Quantitative Microscopy
• Single Cell Imaging
• Systems Biology

Programme(s)

Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.

• FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013)

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.

• FP7-PEOPLE-IEF-2008 - Marie Curie Action: "Intra-European Fellowships for Career Development"

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

FP7-PEOPLE-IEF-2008
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.

MC-IEF - Intra-European Fellowships (IEF)

Coordinator