Objective
The kinase TOR is a key regulator of cell growth and organismal metabolism in animals. Consequently, the correct regulation
of TOR activity is important both for normal development and for disease. For instance, TOR is hyperactivated in almost all
human cancers, and reduced TOR activity is associated with leanness and resistance to obesity. TOR activity is regulated
by a number of inputs including, importantly, amino acids. Indeed, nutritional amino-acid overload in humans is thought to
promote insulin resistance via TOR activation. However, the molecular mechanism by which amino acids regulate TOR is
still mysterious. I propose here to identify and characterize factors required for amino acids to regulate TOR. We will use
a genome-wide functional-genomics approach to systematically identify a large number of genes involved in this process,
thereby hopefully making a significant contribution to the field. Identification of these novel factors may open avenues for
diagnosis and treatment of cancer and metabolic disease.
This project will exploit a high-throughput, cell-based screen for genes involved specifically in amino acid sensing by TOR
which we have implemented in my lab. In collaboration with the neighboring Boutros lab, we have performed a pilot screen on
the 780 kinases of the human genome, proving that the screen is working successfully, and yielding a number of interesting
hits which we have validated. The PhD student in my lab who performed the pilot screen is now characterizing these new
genes. I would like to fully exploit this platform by executing the screen on a genome-wide level, and following-up on the
genes that will be discovered. However, I do not have the necessary resources to do so. An ERC starting grant would allow
us to do this, leveraging our technology platform and the work we invested in creating it. I strongly believe these results will be
exciting and of general interest, helping to establish me in the field.
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 cell biology
- natural sciences chemical sciences organic chemistry amines
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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.
ERC-2010-StG_20091118
See other projects for this call
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.
Host institution
69120 Heidelberg
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.