Skip to main content
Go to the home page of the European Commission (opens in new window)
English English
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS

Deep genetics to study and uncover ‘hidden’ biology

Project description

Genetic networks, amino acid level-regulation and ‘hidden’ cellular pathways

In recent years, new tools have enabled great insight into large groups of genes working together. However, they do not provide insight into genetic regulation at the level of protein domains or individual amino acids. Furthermore, important cellular pathways and processes can be ‘masked’ by the cell state or interference of other genes. The ERC-funded DeepGenetics project aims to shed new light on gene networks and the regulation of cellular phenotypes at the amino acid level. Work will include conducting a comprehensive gene-level study of cellular phenotypes’ regulation, identifying ‘masking’ genes and uncovering their masked processes. It will also connect phenotypes to functional protein domains and, ultimately, amino acids.

Objective

Human genes are organized in complex networks, to produce thousands of proteins to perform a myriad of functions. Whereas we have detailed maps for most biochemical pathways, the wiring of genetic networks in human cells is poorly understood.

Development of powerful human genetic tools (CRISPR, RNAi, haploid cells), to which I made crucial contributions, have proven invaluable to study genetic networks. However, they face two major limitations. First, they provide information at the gene level, whereas it will be much more informative to understand genetic regulation at the level of protein domains or individual amino acids. Second, important biology can be masked – for example, by the cell state or interfering activity of other genes.

With DeepGenetics we will bring our understanding of the genetic regulation of cellular phenotypes to the next level and mine ‘hidden biology’ that even impacts on well-studied cellular traits. We will (i) counterbalance the use of loss-of-function and gain-of-function genetics to obtain a solid gene-level inventory on the regulation of cellular phenotypes; (ii) identify genes that ‘mask’ unknown biology and use modifier screens to expose and define these processes – as we have recently exemplified in my group leading to the discovery of important new cellular pathways, and (iii) connect phenotypes to the functional protein domains and ultimately to the amino acid level.

Thus, DeepGenetics will provide precise views on the regulation of key cellular phenotypes at the amino acid level and will cross the boundaries of our knowledge by exposing ‘hidden biology’.

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.

You need to log in or register to use this function

Programme(s)

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.

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.

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.

(opens in new window) ERC-2023-ADG

See all projects funded under this call

Host institution

STICHTING HET NEDERLANDS KANKER INSTITUUT-ANTONI VAN LEEUWENHOEK ZIEKENHUIS
Net EU contribution

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.

€ 2 451 625,00
Total cost

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.

€ 2 451 625,00

Beneficiaries (1)

My booklet 0 0