Project description
The role of gut microbiota in regulating aggression
Procreation and survival rely on aggression. However, although genetic factors and neural mechanisms influencing aggression are partly deciphered, the exact networks and environmental factors controlling aggression remain unknown. Recently, researchers have associated the gut microbiota with behaviours such as risk taking, mating, and hormone production, regulation and secretion. The EU-funded BEHAVIOME project proposes the innovative concept that microbiota could partly regulate host aggression. The project will characterise the effects of antibiotics, germ-free animal models and specific microbes on aggression in flies and mice. Based on the hypothesis that the microbiota is involved in regulating aggression, BEHAVIOME will test the role of pheromones, bacterial and host gene products as well as host brain hormones in these processes.
Objective
Aggression is one of the most important social behaviors in nature for procreation and survival. However, understanding the underlying pathways and networks leading to aggression remains a major challenge. Although there has been some progress deciphering genetic factors and neural mechanisms influencing aggression, the precise networks and environmental factors controlling aggression remain a mystery. In this proposal, we suggest the novel concept that host aggression may be regulated in part by the microbiota. We and others have recently linked the gut microbiota, the overall constellation of microorganisms residing within our gut, to behaviors such as risk taking, mating and sexual behavior, as well as hormone production, regulation, and secretion. Here, we aim to characterize the effects of antibiotics, germ-free animal models, and specific microbes on aggression in flies and mice. We further hypothesize that these processes are mediated by pheromones, bacterial and host gene products, and host brain hormones, and will therefore test the involvement of these factors. Considering the microbiota as a novel element regulating aggression is an audacious concept. However, we have demonstrated in a preliminary study that elimination of the gut microbiota significantly raises aggression levels in both D. melanogaster and in mice, thereby providing strong initial support for our hypothesis that the microbiota is involved in regulation of aggression. Outcomes of this research will lead to a better understanding of the effects of microbiota on behavior in model systems, and open new horizons in recognition of pathways linking microbiota, hormones and aggression
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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This project's classification has been validated by the project's team.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
This project's classification has been validated by the project's team.
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.
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H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
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Topic(s)
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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.
Funding Scheme
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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.
ERC-COG - Consolidator Grant
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2020-COG
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52900 Ramat Gan
Israel
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