Objective
The vast quantity of information in our genomes must continuously be read out and processed. This is done by proteins, acting either individually or as part of larger protein complexes. How this genome processing operates successfully, given the crowded nature of the DNA track as well as its mechanical constraints and coiling, is a question of fundamental interest.
We will investigate the dynamics of genome processing during DNA transcription and replication. Throughout, we ask the question, what brings these processes to a halt? Focusing on both individual molecular motors and protein complexes, we ask, when do these stall? Both mechanical constraints such as the accumulation of torsional stress and the presence of proteins along the DNA helix may conspire, intentionally or not, to halt transcription and replication.
Specifically, we will investigate how RNA polymerases, replicative helicases, and replisomes can be derailed or stalled. These experiments will shed light on the mechanochemical cycle of RNA polymerase, on its motion along a complex track, on the physical interactions that occur between helicases and proteins at termination, and on replisome dynamics near stall. They will also quantify the effects of torsional stress in DNA on the advancement of transcription and replication.
The proteins and protein complexes studied here include principal actors in processes essential to cell survival. Understanding the manners in which they can fail will illuminate their mechanism and cellular roles. The powerful single-molecule instrumentation that we have developed in recent years allows one to visualize individual proteins while precisely controlling and monitoring the state of DNA. When harnessed to answer these profound biological questions, we extend not only our knowledge of biological processes but also our understanding of how simple physical principles can govern a wide range of phenomena, thereby having an impact on biology and physics alike.
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.
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics DNA
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics RNA
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics genomes
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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.
ERC-2012-StG_20111109
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.
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.
Host institution
2628 CN Delft
Netherlands
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.