Objective
Inheritance of acquired traits is a topic of long-standing interest and controversy. While some of the classic Lamarckian ideas have been dismissed, more recent observations suggest that certain characteristics acquired by an animal during its lifetime might be transmitted to the next generations. Recently I described, for the first time in animals, a biological context in which acquired traits are inherited via small RNA molecules, which ignore the boundary between the soma and the germ line (“The Weizmann Barrier”). Specifically, I showed that the nematode C.elegans inherit an acquired trait, antiviral resistance, through transgenerational transmission of antiviral small RNAs (viRNAs), which mediate RNA interference (RNAi) (Cell, 2011). viRNAs, which protect the worm from viral propagation, pass down to many ensuing generations in a non-Mendelian manner, in the absence of their DNA template, and thus defend RNAi-deficient progeny from viral propagation. Here I suggest defining the rules that govern RNA-mediated transgenerational inheritance of acquired traits and exploring its contribution for the genetics of complex traits. My first efforts will be directed towards elucidating the mechanism behind transgenerational transmission of small RNAs; I established a well-defined system for monitoring transgenerational silencing that should allow unveiling of its genetic and biochemical basis. Second, I will examine whether responses to relevant environmental stresses carry on to the next generations so that the progeny is better prepared to cope with similar conditions. Lastly, I will explore whether sensing of environmental cues by the nervous system drives small RNA biogenesis, which transfer transgenerationally and mediate inheritance of neuronally-encoded traits. While the idea that RNA encodes for “Inherited Memory” sounds heretic at first, my preliminary efforts suggest that inherited small RNAs may indeed transmit information about ancestral acquired experiences.
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 neurobiology
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics DNA
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics RNA
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy drug resistance multidrug resistance
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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-2013-StG
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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.
Host institution
69978 Tel Aviv
Israel
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.