Objective
DNA damage contributes to the ageing of tissues and causes mutations that drive cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying many mutational processes are not understood, and neither is how much they contribute to disease. With a powerful new technology, I propose to close these major gaps for common ?clock? mutations of unknown origin.
The recent genome sequencing revolution has revealed unexpected diversity in mutational patterns. One pattern in particular is intriguing as it behaves as a molecular ?clock?: the number of mutations increases over time and correlates with age. Although the textbook view of mutagenesis is that cell division is required to convert DNA damage into point mutations, surprisingly, non-dividing cells like neurons also accumulate ?clock? mutations as a function of time, indicating that ?clock? mutations arise without genome replication.
Understanding how cells mutate independently of proliferation?and thus challenging the current paradigm of mutagenesis?is a fundamental question that has been hindered because assays to measure mutation require cell division. Excitingly, I have overcome this major obstacle by establishing a powerful strategy to sensitively detect mutations in single cells, genome-wide. My group will combine this approach with targeted genetic manipulations in cells and mice to answer two central questions. (1) How do cells mutate independently of proliferation? (2) What drives these mutations in tissues? My novel insights into endogenous DNA damage from mouse genetics and genomics, combined with the innovative sequencing strategy that I have established, uniquely position me to answer these long-standing questions.
Together, the work proposed here will reveal the molecular mechanism(s) underlying the most common mutational process in humans: ?clock? mutation. The methods, data, and insights from these groundbreaking studies will directly impact cancer research and uncover novel sources of DNA damage during aging
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 genetics DNA
- social sciences political sciences political transitions revolutions
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics mutation
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics genomes
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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.
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HORIZON.1.1 - 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.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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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-2021-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.
1011 JV AMSTERDAM
Netherlands
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.