Objective
Guanine-rich (G-rich) oligonucleotides can fold into G-Quadruplexes (G4s), four-stranded DNA structures involved in the fine regulation of key cellular processes. G4s are found in telomeres, oncogene promoters (kRAS, cMYC, BCL2), and non-coding RNA, where they likely play important roles in transcription and translation. Despite extensive research, the precise regulatory function of G4s remains unclear, and key questions such as whether G4 formation actively drives gene expression or is a byproduct of it are still unresolved. A significant limitation to advancing this understanding is the lack of chemical tools that offer the temporal and spatial control necessary for studying G4 dynamics in living cells. This proposal aims to address this challenge by developing a light-responsive tool that enables precise temporal control of G4 folding in relevant promotor region, in living cells. By using UV/visible light as an external trigger, this tool will allow dynamic studies on the effects of G4 formation on gene expression, offering the possibility of controlling the secondary structure folding on-demand. The core of this approach is the synthesis of light-responsive DNA primers, which will be incorporated into photo-responsive plasmids via NEEL, a novel plasmid resynthesis method. The modifications introduced are designed to dynamically favor or inhibit the formation of stable G4 structures by manipulating the assembly of G-tetradsthe core element required for G4 folding. The tool, SWITCH-G4, will be validated using the cKIT promoter model and then expanded to study other G4-forming promoters, such as kRAS, cMYC, and VEGF. This project will provide unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution in the study of G4s, advancing our understanding of their regulatory roles in cells and potentially offering new therapeutic insights.
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.
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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.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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
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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
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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.
SW7 2AZ London
United Kingdom
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.