Project description
X chromosome inactivation in humans
The process of X chromosome inactivation (XCI), i.e. the stable, yet reversible silencing of one of the two X chromosomes, is critical for female development and linked to sex-specific traits and susceptibilities to various diseases. Current knowledge of XCI dynamics and control in humans is limited, despite major implications for human health. The EU-funded XCYCLE project aims to elucidate the molecular and cellular mechanisms of human XCI to further understand human development and sex-specific diseases. XCYCLE will use human embryonic stem cells and the latest culture methods to mimic the early stages of development and organogenesis, allowing an understanding of the phases preceding XCI, its initiation, maintenance in tissues, and its reversion in the germline.
Objective
The X chromosome is subjected to a formidable degree of concerted gene regulation, with appropriate dosage of X-linked expression in female mammals being ensured by the stable yet reversible inactivation of one of the two copies. The process of X chromosome inactivation (XCI) is critical for female development and linked to sex-specific traits and susceptibilities to various diseases. Well characterized in rodents, there is remarkably little knowledge of how XCI is articulated and controlled in humans, despite its major implication for human health.
Here we propose to model in vitro the whole XCI cycle in humans to gain novel and high resolution insights into the key steps of the process and to identify critical actors and mechanisms We will exploit human embryonic stem cells and recent culture methods to mimic the early stage of development as well as more advanced organogenesis. This will allow us to investigate the four phases of XCI: (i) the steps that precede XCI (ii) its initiation, (iii) its maintenance in tissues including the hematopoietic system and intestinal organoids and (iv) its reversion in the germline. We will implement a combination of exploratory and mechanistic approaches integrating single cell analyses, CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing and genetic screens to build a comprehensive spatiotemporal map of X-chromosome activity across the human life cycle, to screen for regulators of each phase and to assess the importance of XCI and appropriate X-linked gene dosage to tissue development and homeostasis. Using an innovative set of approaches, we hope to challenge the general principles of XCI that were formerly defined in model organisms and to unravel human-specific features of XCI that could serve as new research paradigms in developmental epigenetics. The molecular and cellular understanding of human XCI that this project should provide is a fundamental pre-requisite to further understand the principles of human development and sex-specific diseases.
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.
This project's classification has been validated by the project's team.
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.
This project's classification has been validated by the project's team.
- natural sciences biological sciences developmental biology
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology cells technologies stem cells
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics heredity
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics chromosomes
- medical and health sciences basic medicine medical genetics
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.
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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-ADG - Advanced 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-2020-ADG
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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.
75794 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.