Shedding light on three-dimensional gene regulation

Informations projet

3D-REG

N° de convention de subvention: 101115401

DOI

10.3030/101115401

Date de signature de la CE 16 Octobre 2023

Date de début 1 Janvier 2024

Date de fin 31 Decembre 2028

Financé au titre de

• European Research Council (ERC)

Coût total

€ 1 500 000,00

Contribution de l’UE

€ 1 500 000,00

Coordonné par

MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN EV
Germany

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - 3D-REG (Shedding light on three-dimensional gene regulation)

Période du rapport: 2024-01-01 au 2026-06-30

Résumé du contexte et des objectifs généraux du projet

Complex organisms such as humans contain hundreds of different cell types that perform vastly different functions but are all instructed by the exact same DNA sequence. The specification of different cell types is dependent on precise regulation of the activity of the genes that are contained in our DNA. However, it remains unclear how specific sets of genes are switched on and off in order to support the development and functioning of specific cell types. It is known that genes make up a very small proportion of our DNA and that they are regulated by specific “non-coding” sequences in the DNA. Since these regulatory sequences can be located relatively far away from their target genes, DNA is folded in specific structures that allow for communication between these DNA sequences in 3D space. The 3D-REG research project aims to develop and apply cutting-edge techniques to identify the molecular mechanisms by which regulatory sequences communicate and regulate gene activity.

Travail effectué depuis le début du projet jusqu’à la fin de la période considérée dans le rapport et principaux résultats atteints jusqu’à présent

So far, we have developed, established, and applied new, cutting-edge techniques that allow us to: (1) perturb potential regulatory proteins with very high temporal precision; (2) measure the effects on communication between regulatory sequences and other molecular gene regulatory events with very high spatial resolution; (3) characterize the proteins that are involved in gene regulation.

Progrès au-delà de l’état des connaissances et impact potentiel prévu (y compris l’impact socio-économique et les conséquences sociétales plus larges du projet jusqu’à présent)

We have developed and applied cutting-edge techniques to analyse gene regulation in its 3D context at high temporal and spatial resolution. Further development and implementation of these techniques are not only important to better understand the fundamental nature of gene regulation, but will ultimately also contribute to our understanding of the molecular basis of genetic disease.