Objective
The MLL gene is located in chromosome 11q23 and is implicated in >40 different chromosomal translocations, generating distinct leukaemic fusion genes. Unlike other MLL fusion proteins, t(4;11) MLL-AF4 is always found in infant pro-B-ALL with a dismal prognosis in infants and adults. In infant ALL where t(4;11) MLL-AF4 is very common (>80%), the gene fusion arises in utero. However, very little is known about the nature of the target cell for transformation in the embryo/foetus and the mechanisms accounting for its B-cell lineage affiliation. Haematopoietic stem (HSC) and progenitor (HPC) cells represent likely targets for transformation. However, mouse models and transformed cell lines have been used with only modest success to model the effects of MLL-AF4 and the disease phenotypes achieved do not faithfully mimic those seen in the actual infant disease. Moreover, MLL-AF4 protein seems toxic when retrovirally over-expressed in mouse or human stem cells. Here, we propose to explore the developmental impact of MLL-AF4 on human haematopoietic stem cell fate through consideration of distinct ontogeny (embryonic and cord blood-CB-) and hierarchical (HSCs and HPCs) stages of development. Based on state-of-the-art lentiviral and TAT-protein transduction technology, MLL-AF4 will be delivered into human cells in distinct ontogenic and hierarchical positions including: hESCs, CB-HSC and CB-HPCs. The potential transformation effects of MLL-AF4 will be assayed in vitro and in vivo by its ability to disrupt the balance between self-renewal and differentiation. These novel studies will provide insights into the developmental impact of MLL-AF4 on human stem cell transformation and fate, improving our understanding of the molecular pathogenesis and aetiology of this leukaemia. Finally, to study this complex genetic infant leukaemia it would be desirable to follow the development of cells carrying the disease mutation in the "dish" and see at which point the cells' function fails
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: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology cells technologies stem cells
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology leukemia
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics chromosomes
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine embryology
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
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-IIF-2008
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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
41092 Sevilla
Spain
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.