Objective
Cells are constantly challenged by complex crosslinking damage, which is caused not only by endogenous metabolites, such as reactive aldehydes, but also by various exogenous sources. While crosslinking damage to DNA has been studied extensively, almost all reactive agents act pleiotropically and also damage RNA and proteins. However, due to the complexity of the damage, it is difficult to determine which components of the damage are responsible for specific cellular outcomes. Therefore, it is unknown how crosslinking damage to RNA and proteins affects cellular homeostasis and how it is detected and resolved.
Here, I propose to exploit novel experimental model systems that deconstruct complex crosslinking damage into distinct toxic components. I will combine metabolic labelling with photoactivatable-crosslinking approaches to mimic aldehyde-induced RNA or protein damage in the absence of DNA damage. We will combine these model systems with genetic and proteomic approaches to define the molecular mechanisms that detect and resolve RNA-protein crosslinks and protein-protein crosslinks. To this end, we will capitalize on preliminary work indicating the existence of an entirely uncharacterized translation-coupled quality control mechanism that ubiquitylates and degrades proteins crosslinked to mRNA. Ultimately, I will build on these mechanistic insights to explore the physiological role of RNA and protein damage in (1) the response to endogenous formaldehyde generated during cellular differentiation and (2) the mechanisms-of-action of chemotherapeutic crosslinkers.
My work will provide a comprehensive view on how complex crosslinking damage affects cellular homeostasis and will challenge the current paradigm that DNA damage is solely responsible for the cytotoxicity of crosslinking agents. As such, my work will address a major blind spot in the fields of cellular quality control and genome stability with wide-ranging implications for cancer therapy and ageing.
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 chemical sciences organic chemistry aldehydes
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics RNA
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology homeostasis
You need to log in or register to use this function
We are sorry... an unexpected error occurred during execution.
You need to be authenticated. Your session might have expired.
Thank you for your feedback. You will soon receive an email to confirm the submission. If you have selected to be notified about the reporting status, you will also be contacted when the reporting status will change.
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.
-
HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
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
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
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-2023-COG
See all projects funded under this callHost institution
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.
80539 MUNCHEN
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.