Objectif This proposal promises to transform our understanding of the basic biology of the malaria parasite Plasmodium, and of how that biology affects virulence. Remarkably little is known about the Plasmodium cell cycle, despite a wealth of knowledge on the subject in model cells. This project will reveal, with unprecedented resolution, how DNA replication is organised in Plasmodium and how changing conditions in the human host and exposure to antimalarial drugs affect it. Plasmodium is an early-diverging protozoan with a complex lifecycle & unusual cell-biological features. It replicates in its human host by ‘schizogony’: a single parasite generates many nuclei via independent, asynchronous rounds of genome replication prior to cytokinesis. This occurs over ~24hrs inside infected erythrocytes. However, the genome can also be copied extremely rapidly during the sexual cycle in the malaria-transmitting mosquito. Here 8 male gametes are produced from a single gametocyte in less than 10mins, necessitating extraordinarily rapid DNA synthesis. This project will first elucidate the spatio-temporal dynamics of DNA replication in these contrasting cell cycles. To do this, I have developed a method for labelling nascent DNA replication, which was not previously possible in Plasmodium. It will permit: a) a detailed characterisation, at the whole-cell level, of the asynchronous genome replication that occurs in schizogony; b) a study of replication origin spacing & DNA synthesis speed at single-molecule resolution on DNA fibres, comparing these parameters in schizogony & gametogenesis; c) mapping sequences with replication origin activity in the Plasmodium genome; d) investigation of cell-cycle checkpoints & replicative responses to the changing environment in the human host and to antimalarial drugs. These are crucial issues for understanding parasite virulence and drug-resistance, and the work will inform vital new research into transmission-blocking interventions for malaria. Champ scientifique medical and health scienceshealth sciencesinfectious diseasesmalarianatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsDNAmedical and health scienceshealth sciencesparasitologymedical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacydrug resistancenatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsgenomes Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme Thème(s) ERC-2016-COG - ERC Consolidator Grant Appel à propositions ERC-2016-COG Voir d’autres projets de cet appel Régime de financement ERC-COG - Consolidator Grant Institution d’accueil THE CHANCELLOR MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE Contribution nette de l'UE € 1 801 331,64 Adresse TRINITY LANE THE OLD SCHOOLS CB2 1TN Cambridge Royaume-Uni Voir sur la carte Région East of England East Anglia Cambridgeshire CC Type d’activité Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Liens Contacter l’organisation Opens in new window Site web Opens in new window Participation aux programmes de R&I de l'UE Opens in new window Réseau de collaboration HORIZON Opens in new window Coût total € 1 801 331,64 Bénéficiaires (2) Trier par ordre alphabétique Trier par contribution nette de l'UE Tout développer Tout réduire THE CHANCELLOR MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE Royaume-Uni Contribution nette de l'UE € 1 801 331,64 Adresse TRINITY LANE THE OLD SCHOOLS CB2 1TN Cambridge Voir sur la carte Région East of England East Anglia Cambridgeshire CC Type d’activité Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Liens Contacter l’organisation Opens in new window Site web Opens in new window Participation aux programmes de R&I de l'UE Opens in new window Réseau de collaboration HORIZON Opens in new window Coût total € 1 801 331,64 UNIVERSITY OF KEELE ROYAL CHARTER Participation terminée Royaume-Uni Contribution nette de l'UE € 197 364,36 Adresse KEELE UNIVERSITY FINANCE DPT ST5 5BG Keele Voir sur la carte Région West Midlands (England) Shropshire and Staffordshire Staffordshire CC Type d’activité Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Liens Contacter l’organisation Opens in new window Site web Opens in new window Participation aux programmes de R&I de l'UE Opens in new window Réseau de collaboration HORIZON Opens in new window Coût total € 197 364,36
