Objective
Epigenetic mechanisms are considered to be central to the development of multicellular organisms made of different cell types, all having identical genomes. Similarly, they may explain how genetically identical organisms are capable of adapting to distinct environmental conditions. Yet, the molecular mechanisms regulating how epigenetic traits can be inherited during cell division or across generations are not fully understood. Using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, we have recently revealed how the nuclear Argonaute protein CSR-1 and its associated short RNAs participate in global transcriptional regulation and chromatin organization. This unprecedented observation opened up a new class of molecular mechanisms by which Argonaute proteins and their bound short RNAs may actively contribute to epigenetic inheritance in animals.
This research proposal focuses on the characterization of short-RNA-based mechanisms of epigenetic inheritance during animal development and upon environmental changes. Using C. elegans as an animal model system, we plan to integrate genetic, biochemical, and molecular biology tools with high-throughput genomic and proteomic approaches to dissect (i) the molecular mechanism by which CSR-1-bound short RNAs regulate transcription, (ii) test their ability in propagating the memory of actively transcribed genomic regions during early embryonic development, and (iii) characterize their role in propagating the memory of stress responses across generations to facilitate the adaptation of animals to environmental changes.
Given the association of nuclear Argonaute proteins with transcriptionally active loci in metazoans, we anticipate that similar CSR-1-like epigenetic functions are also conserved in humans. Therefore, our research has the potential to significantly advance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying epigenetic inheritance and reveals their impact on animal development and adaptation to changing environments.
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 biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- natural sciences biological sciences developmental biology
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics RNA
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics genomes
- natural sciences biological sciences molecular biology
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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)
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.
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-2015-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.
75724 Paris
France
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.