Objective
"Synapses are physical sites of communication that transmit and transform information between neurons in a very rapid and dynamic way. Not surprisingly, malfunctioning synapses are at the root of some of our most prevalent neurological and psychiatric disorders.
As synapses are smaller than what diffraction-limited light microscopy can resolve, and densely packed in light-scattering brain tissue, it has been extremely difficult to study their physiology in mechanistic terms. As a result, we still lack an understanding of the basic dynamic organization of neurotransmitter receptors and their molecular partners at mammalian synapses.
While electron microscopy provided detailed snapshots of where glutamate receptors are located inside synapses, this technique does not convey dynamic or functional information. Since existing optical approaches, such as 2-photon glutamate uncaging, do not have sufficient spatial resolution, progress in this area relies on fundamental breakthroughs in live-cell-compatible techniques relying on focused visible light.
We propose to utilize novel STED superresolution microscopy to image and concurrently activate synapses in live spines by superresolution STED photo-uncaging of glutamate. STED microscopy offers optical resolution an order of magnitude higher than current 2-photon or confocal techniques, and we aim to unravel functional and structural nano-dynamics of spines and synapses during plasticity. Specifically, as part of a collaborative effort, we will (1) evaluate newly engineered photosensitive glutamate-containing compounds for superresolution STED-based photo-activation, (2) advance STED microscopy technology to concurrently activate and image synapses beyond the diffraction limit, and (3) use this new methodology to probe synaptic physiology in brain slices with unprecedented resolution. These advances will enable us to address timely questions regarding the dynamic behavior of neurotransmitter receptors in individual spines."
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: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
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.
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine psychiatry
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy super resolution microscopy
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy electron microscopy
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology
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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-2010-IEF
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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
75794 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.