Objective
Our genome is not merely an information code but also a physical object: a long polymer of DNA with a dynamic three-dimensional organisation that is crucial for its function. Recently, we and others discovered that SMC protein complexes are a novel class of remarkable molecular motors that extrude loops of DNA. While insights into how this motor activity shapes chromosomes are revolutionising our understanding of chromosome structure, it is becoming clear that SMC motors are also key to controlling the expression of genetic information – a core function of cells.
GeneMotors seeks to tackle the grand challenge of understanding how the tiny SMC motors orchestrate functions of a huge genome. Understanding how SMC motors work and regulate biological functions addresses long-standing puzzles in genetics such as how invading viral genes are silenced or how regulatory information in the non-coding, so-called 'dark matter', 98% of the genome reaches out to genes to control their expression.
To settle this, we aim to 1) unravel the basic molecular motor mechanism of the DNA-looping SMCs and their collective behaviour, 2) disentangle the ‘control knobs’ that regulate their use in cellular processes, and 3) resolve how DNA looping by SMCs promotes gene regulation through long-distance communication along the genome.
This ambitious program transcends the boundaries of any single discipline. Our team unites cutting-edge cell biology with single-molecule biophysics and modelling from the atomic to chromosome level. This unique combination of expertise across scales enables to resolve questions about how detailed molecular mechanisms have functional consequences for the complexity of the mammalian genome – achieving together what we cannot do alone. Showing how these SMC motors regulate the huge genome will impact fields from molecular motors to genetics and developmental biology, sparking advances that are likely to reshape our understanding of human development and disease.
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 biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- natural sciences biological sciences biophysics
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics chromosomes
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics genomes
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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.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
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-ERC-SYG - HORIZON ERC Synergy Grants
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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) ERC-2025-SyG
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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.
2628 CN DELFT
Netherlands
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.