Objective
Epigenetics is a new and exciting area in biomedical sciences. It studies mitotically heritable chemical modifications of chromatin that are not associated with changes in the DNA sequence. Epigenetic modifications (EMs) affect the expression of genes, and therefore the phenotype of cells. Current views suggest that epigenetics reinforces cell fate stability. Indeed, EMs are essential for normal development and tissue homeostasis, and improper regulation may result in diseases like cancer. Despite the relatively good understanding of the role of epigenetics in mammals and flies, many questions are still open. They include the origin and distribution of EMs in animals, and how differences in epigenetic control mediate different life strategies among taxa. In particular, it is possible that traits like regenerative ability, growth plasticity, senescence and resistance to malignancy, which are differentially distributed among animal groups, are primarily mediated by taxon-specific EMs. We propose to test this hypothesis by studying the role of epigenetics in stem cell fate determination in the cnidarian Hydractinia echinata, an animal model that occupies a phylogenetically pivotal position at the base of the animal kingdom,
and is genetically tractable and susceptible to genetically manipulation. We will use a genome wide approach to map DNA methylation and histone modification sites in the Hydractinia genome. We will then analyze the specific utilization of EMs, comparing stem cells with terminally differentiated somatic cells. Finally, we will use gain and loss of function experiments to study the specific role of selected EM genes in different contexts in the Hydractinia life history. This project will provide insight into the mechanisms that mediates stem cell decision-making and why they are more versatile in basal invertebrates. Our results will impact not only such fields as evolutionary, cell and developmental biology, but also regenerative medicine and cancer.
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: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences developmental biology
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology cells technologies stem cells
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology homeostasis
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics epigenetics
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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-2013-IIF
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.
Coordinator
H91 Galway
Ireland
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.