Objective
A recent era of RNA research discovered complex RNA regulatory networks that involve RNA binding proteins (RBPs) and RNA. These networks are particularly dynamic and complex in the central nervous system, and can lead to neurologic diseases if deregulated. The host lab studies the regulatory networks that control alternative splicing in the brain. Recently, the lab identified thousands of cryptic splice sites that are bound by the spliceosome, but do not lead to active splicing in the adult brain. In the present project, I will assess if splicing at some of these cryptic sites is regulated during brain development or disease. Moreover, I will determine the importance of such regulation for neuronal differentiation.
Most of the cryptic splice sites are present within long introns of genes that are only expressed in the brain. Therefore, I will employ genome-wide experimental and computational methods to study the regulation of cryptic splice sites in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) and mouse brain from several developmental stages. It is known that binding of RBPs to target pre-mRNAs can actively repress cryptic splicing, which ensures expression of stable mRNAs. FUS and TDP-43 are two RBPs that regulate alternative splicing and lead to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) when mutated. They have increased binding to the long introns and their depletion leads to decreased expression of long genes. I will therefore assess changes in splicing at cryptic sites upon depletion of FUS or TDP-43 in mESCs, in ALS mouse models, and in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from ALS patients. Since de-repression of cryptic splice sites would lead to aberrant mRNAs, this may unravel the mechanism explaining how FUS and/or TDP-43 regulate the expression of long genes.
The study of genome-wide cryptic splicing regulation might uncover a novel mechanism controlling neuronal development, and explain how misregulation of long genes contributes to ALS neuropathology.
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 neurobiology
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology cells technologies stem cells
- natural sciences computer and information sciences computational science
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics RNA
- medical and health sciences basic medicine neurology amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
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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-IEF
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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.
Coordinator
WC1E 6BT LONDON
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.