Objective
Pre-mRNA splicing is an essential step in gene expression, executed by the spliceosome—one of the most intricate molecular machines in eukaryotic cells. Splicing occurs predominantly co-transcriptionally, in close coordination with RNA Polymerase II. Yet, the molecular mechanisms that underlie this coupling remain poorly understood.
This project seeks to uncover how the transcription machinery directs and coordinates spliceosome assembly and activation. Our central hypothesis is that dynamic interactions with Pol II orchestrate both spliceosome formation and catalytic progression, thereby enabling co-transcriptional splicing to proceed with greater efficiency and fidelity than splicing in isolation.
Recent cryo-EM studies have resolved major spliceosomal intermediates, but these structures were obtained from RNA substrates outside their native transcriptional context. This represents a critical gap in our understanding of how spliceosome dynamics are integrated with ongoing transcription.
To address this, we will reconstitute and isolate key stages of the co-transcriptional splicing pathway and analyze their structures using cryo-EM and complementary integrative approaches. This strategy will reveal how spliceosomes are physically and functionally coupled to Pol II, and how their architecture and composition remodel during the splicing cycle.
By elucidating the structural logic of co-transcriptional splicing, this project will provide fundamental insights into gene regulation and uncover general principles that extend to RNA processing and expression control.
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.
This project has not yet been classified with EuroSciVoc.
Be the first one to suggest relevant scientific fields and help us improve our classification service
You need to log in or register to use this function
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.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
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-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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) ERC-2025-ADG
See all projects funded under this callHost institution
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 3RP 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.