Objective
Across human lifespan epigenetic changes accumulate, but their physiological and pathological significance remain to be determined. Growth, a seemingly mechanistically distinct process, occurs at the opposite end of life to old age. Through my study of extreme growth disorders, I have recently discovered a new accelerated ageing syndrome which establishes causal relationships linking changes in methylation with both ageing and size. Here, I propose to use multiscale cross-disciplinary approaches, from molecule to organism, to investigate how changes in DNA methylation disrupt lineage-determining genes in tissues, altering growth and causing age-associated tissue pathology. Using ex vivo stem cell culture and differentiation systems, targeted synthetic biology, lineage tracing by CRISPR barcoding and a gain-of-function mouse model, the goal of this programme is to define mechanisms connecting epigenomic state to multi-organ (blood, bone, metabolic) pathophysiology. Establishing hallmark epigenetic alterations as a cause for age-related tissue pathologies and defining underlying pathophysiological mechanisms at molecular, cell and tissue levels should provide a rational basis for epigenome-directed anti-ageing therapies, with identified pathways providing potential targets for future therapeutics development. This work will also provide insight into how DNA methylation rate may act as a determinant of lifespan and may also advance understanding of human growth disorders and mammalian sizing.
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
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology pathophysiology
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology cells technologies stem cells
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pathology
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics epigenetics
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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 - HORIZON ERC 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-ADG
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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.
EH8 9YL Edinburgh
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.