Project description
Molecular insight into fertility
Accurate segregation of chromosomes during cell division is central to genetic stability and fertility. The cohesin complex plays a key role in this process, serving as molecular glue between sister chromatids and also maintaining chromosome architecture. While the mitotic cohesin complex has been extensively characterised, our understanding of meiosis-specific variants critical for fertility remains incomplete. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the MeiCoH project aims to elucidate the molecular functions of human cohesin complexes. Researchers will utilise advanced biochemical and single-molecule techniques to study how these complexes interact with DNA and associated regulatory proteins.
Objective
The cohesin complex is an essential component of mitotic and meiotic chromosomes due to its ability to control the topology of DNA. The core cohesin complex is a ring-like structure composed of two structural maintenance of chromosome proteins plus a kleisin that recruits additional subunits that control the loading and activity of cohesin on DNA. Recent single-molecule approaches show that cohesin displays two primary activities in vitro: ATP-dependent DNA translocation, leading to the formation of DNA loops, and topological entrapment of two DNA molecules, which can explain sister chromatid cohesion. These experiments used cohesin complexes containing the mitotic kleisisin RAD21, but higher eukaryotes express meiosis-specific kleisins, including RAD21L and REC8 in mammals, that are essential for fertility. Although in vivo experiments in mouse and C. elegans suggest that REC8 and RAD21L complexes display functional specialisation, the molecular activity of these complexes remains unknown. The goal of this project is to perform a biochemical and biophysical characterisation of human cohesin complexes containing the REC8 and RAD21L kleisins. To this end, I will combine bulk biochemical approaches with single-molecule methods (TIRF microscopy, optical tweezers) to determine the ATPase activity, complex formation with cohesin regulators (SA3, PDS5, NIPBL), topological DNA entrapment, and loop formation activity of human REC8 and RAD21L complexes. This project will provide mechanistic insights into the mechanisms that ensure fertility in humans.
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 biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- natural sciences biological sciences zoology mammalogy
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics chromosomes
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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.
SN2 1FL SWINDON
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.