Objective
I propose to decipher the unresolved molecular paradox of positive versus negative gene regulation by the Glucocorticoid Receptor (GR). GR is one of the most potent anti-inflammatory drug targets in clinical use today, and one of the most powerful metabolic regulators. Unfortunately, its unique ability to efficiently shut off inflammatory gene expression is accompanied by serious side effects. These undesired effects are attributed to the transcriptional activation of its metabolic target genes and limit its therapeutic use.
SILENCE uses cutting-edge genome-wide approaches to identify the molecular mechanisms underlying the transcriptional repression, or silencing, of inflammatory genes by GR. The general, open question I want to address is how one transcription factor can simultaneously both activate and repress transcription.
GR is a member of the nuclear hormone receptor family of ligand-gated transcription factors. Upon hormone binding, GR can regulate gene expression both positively and negatively, but the mechanism governing this choice is unknown. I have previously shown that classical models and existing paradigms are insufficient to explain GR-mediated gene silencing. Therefore, I postulate the existence of unknown coregulator proteins, cis-regulatory DNA sequences, noncoding RNAs, or combinations thereof. To test these hypotheses, I plan 1. a large scale RNAi screen to identify those cofactors that specify repression versus activation, 2. ChIP-exo experiments to map genomic GR binding sites at an unprecedented resolution, and 3. GRO-Seq studies to define the role of noncoding RNAs during the silencing of inflammatory genes.
Inflammation is known to contribute to the pathogenesis of numerous human illnesses, including cancer, autoimmune diseases, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Understanding the specific mechanisms involved in the silencing of inflammatory gene expression carries transformative potential for novel therapies and safer drugs.
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.
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine endocrinology diabetes
- medical and health sciences basic medicine immunology autoimmune diseases
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine cardiology cardiovascular diseases
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics RNA
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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.
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H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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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.
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.
ERC-STG - Starting Grant
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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.
(opens in new window) ERC-2014-STG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
85764 Neuherberg
Germany
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.