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Predictive Epigenetics: Fusing Theory and Experiment

Project description

DEENESFRITPL

Fusion of theoretical and experimental epigenetics

Epigenetic modifications of DNA and chromatin, such as methylation, acetylation and ubiquitination of histones, enable gene regulation that modulates gene activity states. Epigenetic proteins modify thousands of genes, including developmental regulators, tumour suppressors and signalling molecules. The field of epigenetics is dominated and overwhelmed by information due to the vast amount of generated Big Data. Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the PEP-NET project aims at a paradigm shift in dealing with generated information via a combination of theoretical and experimental epigenetics. The project research network will train young researchers to use quantitative experiments with predictive theoretical models and to apply this knowledge in understanding epigenetic functions.

Objective

Epigenetic mechanisms of gene regulation are profoundly implicated in human health and disease. However, we are still far from a complete mechanistic understanding of many epigenetic processes. Without an understanding of mechanisms we cannot fully understand function in healthy cells, in disease states, and the effects and side effects of therapeutic interventions. This severely limits the development of healthcare strategies. Research in epigenetics has typically been based on experiments and not on theory. Although this has delivered large amounts of information, information alone is not sufficient. Further progress urgently needs a paradigm shift in the way in which we study epigenetics, namely: epigenetics needs mathematics. Mathematical models are essential to capture and understand the complex, dynamic and stochastic nature of epigenetic regulation. Models are immensely powerful because they identify unifying concepts and enable predictions of system properties. Modelling epigenetic processes not only holds the key to a deep mechanistic understanding, but also ultimately, to drug response predictions, patient-specific diagnoses and new therapies. One of the greatest challenges to uniting biology and mathematics is the barrier between disciplines, because education in each field has traditionally been mono-disciplinary. The PEP-NET ITN will overcome these barriers by uniting 16 outstanding European academic laboratories and companies who have pioneered the successful combination of theoretical and experimental epigenetics. PEP-NET will train a new cohort of 15 European researchers to combine quantitative experiments with predictive theoretical models, and to apply this knowledge to basic and applied questions of epigenetic function.

Fields of science

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Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Call for proposal

H2020-MSCA-ITN-2018

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Funding Scheme

MSCA-ITN - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Networks (ITN)

Coordinator

HUMBOLDT-UNIVERSITAET ZU BERLIN
Net EU contribution
€ 758 365,20
Address
UNTER DEN LINDEN 6
10117 Berlin
Germany

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Region
Berlin Berlin Berlin
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost
€ 758 365,20

Participants (10)

Partners (5)

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Last update: 22 April 2024

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Permalink: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/813282

European Union, 2024