CELLIMAGE · Advanced cell Imaging approaches in developmental biology
FP6 — Marie Curie Actions (Human Resources and Mobility)
- Duration
- 2006-12-01 → 2010-11-30
- EU contribution
- €598,595
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- TOK
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Results in brief
Final Activity Report Summary - CELLIMAGE (Advanced Cell Imaging Approaches in Developmental Biology)
The main scientific objectives of this project were to study basic developmental processes using imaging techniques in vivo in the three widely used model systems - nematodes, insects (Drosophila and Tribolium) and mice. These processes included neurogenesis, neuronal migration, learning and memory, synaptic plasticity and body axis formation. All of these events have been the focus of respective groups over the last few years. The Averof group developed transgenic markers and live imaging techniques in an emerging model insect (Tribolium), which allowed us to record cell behaviour during the process of axial growth. By developing an embryo culture protocol, we were also able to study the dynamics of segmentation gene expression during Tribolium germband elongation. The Delidakis group has been studying Notch signalling, a fundamental cell signalling pathway that is deployed repeatedly during neurogenesis. Notch signalling needs to be dynamically modulated in space and time; the group has started pursuing this question by using several fluorescent reporter of Notch activity in Drosophila. The Karagogeos group has been studying the role of guidance cues (adhesion molecules of the immunoglobulin superfamily and intracellular mediators) in migrations in the central nervous system of mice. The group has generated mice deficient in some of these cues and has started visualizing and understanding how neurons move and whether alterations are noticed in mutant environments. The Tavernarakis group aims at identifying genes required for the sensory transduction and integration that forms the basis of learning and memory in the nematode. The group investigated synaptic plasticity in nematode neurons and analysed any anatomical or molecular changes that follow training experience. They generated and analysed nematode mutants with altered or impaired capacity for associative learning. They monitored neuronal function in vivo by the use of transgenic animals harbouring specific GFP reporters targeted to specific sets of neurons. Finally, the latter two groups collaborated in the study of a neuronal recognition protein in worms and they showed that it regulates axon growth and morphogenesis.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
Recently, advances in modern imaging techniques, in combination with the availability of genetic tools has set the stage for detailed studies at the single cell level. Our experience has been that mechanisms underlying developmental processes are conserved in organisms ranging from nematodes, insects, mice and man. In this ToK we plan to join our efforts, approaches (molecular, cellular, developmental, evolutionary), know-how in various model-systems (nematodes, insects, mice) to gain insight aspects of their development.Our group (part of the Developmental and Functional Biology group of the IMBB) consists of principal investigators that are leaders in their field in Europe and whose laboratories have provided training to many researchers from Greece and abroad. We have joined our efforts to move our research forward through the development of a new competence of advanced imaging in live organisms; we consider this expertise essential and timely as it will provide us with a leading, competitive edge towards groups in the US and Japan. The need for this competence has stemmed from our training activities as part of the Greek Microscopy Network and by the realization that all of our groups - and the host institute as a whole- would collectively benefit tremendously from the establishment of live imaging techniques, an expertise lacking in our country altogether.Work towards developing and applying the new competence will be distributed among the following directions:a) mapping patterns of cell division, movement and differentiation in the growth zone of insects,b) monitoring Notch signalling in Drosophila and other insects,c) monitoring migrations in the mammalian central nervous system,d) studying the role of mammalian adhesion molecules in the nematode ande) identifying genes required for the sensory transduction and integration that forms the basis of learning and memory in the nematode.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- FOUNDATION FOR RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY-HELLAS, INSTITUTE OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY · HERAKLIONCoordinatorCity levelGreece
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union