Project description
Epigenetic regulation of early human embryonic development
Epigenetic regulation plays a central role in guiding embryonic development by determining which genes are switched on or off at critical stages. During the first weeks, human embryos generate extraembryonic tissues essential for supporting growth. Impaired formation of these tissues can lead to pregnancy complications such as preterm birth. Unlike mice, human embryonic cells show prolonged plasticity, but the mechanisms remain poorly understood. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the KICK project will investigate the role of KDM4 demethylases, enzymes that remove epigenetic barriers. Researchers will employ stem cell-based embryo models to reveal how epigenetic control shapes embryonic competency and contributes to pregnancy health.
Objective
During the first two weeks of human development, the embryo will generate sequentially progenitors of the extraembryonic membranes that will form the supportive tissues of the embryo proper. Impairments of their development have been linked to pregnancy diseases such as preterm birth. Human embryonic cells differ from mice by their remarkable plasticity, which allows them to generate extraembryonic lineages during a protracted period of time. The mechanism extending human embryonic cells competency remains a mystery.
Enzymes of the KDM4 family remove Histone 3 lysine 9 methylation, a major epigenetic barrier to lineage conversion. However, there is a dramatic lack of knowledge on the role of KDM4s during early embryonic development. In this project I will investigate the function of KDM4 demethylases and how they influence embryonic cell competency in humans and mice. Human embryonic stem cells (hESC) and derivatives can be used as models of embryonic counterparts and possess equivalent extraembryonic lineage competency. In addition, hESC can be made to self-assemble into more complex 3D embryo models. These models provide an exciting and more accessible alternative to human embryos.
In this project, I will leverage the combined expertises of the host lab and myself in embryology and stem cell based models to chart for the first time the localization of KDM4 demethylases and perturbate their expression with cutting edge CRISPR-dCAS9 technologies in models of human early development. Both myself and the host’s previous works have shown that the manipulation of chromatin regulators can be harnessed to break epigenetic barriers. I will thus use the overexpression of KDM4 demethylases to also enhance mouse embryonic cells competency. Elucidating how human embryonic cells retain extraembryonic plasticity compared to mice will be key to further our knowledge of the specificities of human early development and better understand and model pregnancy disorders.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
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.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
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.
3000 LEUVEN
Belgium
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.