Project description
Elucidating the mechanisms behind nuclear and genome mechanics
The nuclei in living cells are continually exposed to internal and external forces that distort the nuclear envelope. Chromosomes are mechanical structures that can sense, transduce and adsorb mechanical forces. Inter-chromosomal contacts and nuclear envelope-related domains influence the transduction of mechanical stress when cells undergo compression, stretching or interstitial migration. The ERC-funded TOPOMECH project aims to explore the mechanical properties of chromosomes and how nuclear deformations impact genome integrity and the chromatin topological landscape. It will carry out mechanistic, genetic and genomic studies in yeast, followed by genomic, imaging and microfluidic approaches in mammalian cells. Overall, the study will lead to a deeper understanding of the mechanisms behind pathological processes that can trigger certain mechano-diseases.
Objective
The nucleus is the stiffest organelle in the cell and is constantly challenged by intrinsic and extrinsic forces that deform the nuclear envelope. Chromosomes are mechanical objects that can sense, transduce and adsorb mechanical forces. Inter-chromosomal contacts and nuclear envelope-associated domains contribute to transduce mechanical stress when cells experience compression, stretching or interstitial migration.
We aim to study the mechanical properties of the chromosomes and how genome integrity and the chromatin topological landscape are affected by nuclear deformations. We will combine mechanistic, genetic and genomic studies in yeast (WP1) with genomic, imaging and microfluidic approaches in mammalian cells (WP2). In WP1 we will investigate i) how the topological context influences nucleosome chirality and the epigenetic landscape; ii) how the inter-chromosomal connections mediated by topoisomerase activities influence genome mechanics; iii) how chromosome topology contributes to generate aberrant DNA structures and how DNA damage induces topological changes; iv) how the nuclear envelope and the nucleolus influence chromatin topology and histone modifications; v) how nuclear deformation affects genome integrity and the topological landscape. In WP2 we will study: i) the ATR and ATM-mediated mechanisms controlling nuclear and genome integrity and mechanics, under unperturbed conditions or in response to mechanical stress; ii) how the topological context of the genome responds to mechanical forces generated by cell compression or stretching and the implications for fragile site expression; iii) how mechanical stress generated by interstitial migration influences genome topology, chromosome instability, and those mechanisms causing amplification of specific chromosomal loci.
The expected results may contribute to elucidate the mechanisms controlling nuclear and genome mechanics and those pathological processes promoting certain mechano-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.
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
- natural sciences mathematics pure mathematics topology
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics chromosomes
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics genomes
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.
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-ADG
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.
00185 Roma
Italy
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.