Objective
The DNA of eukaryotic cells is packaged in chromosomes located in the nucleus. The fundamental package unit of DNA are nucleosomes, which are composed of an octameric histone core that is wrapped with DNA. Over the last few years a wide variety of post-tra nslational modifications of these histone proteins have been linked to essential biological processes. This is particularly true of histone acetylation, by enzymes called histone acetyl-transferases (HATs). Acetylation of lysine residues can activate gene transcription, whereas conversely deacetylation is linked to gene repression. Thus, the modification of histones in chromatin plays a central role in transcription regulation. Currently the dissection of the roles of individual modified histone lysine resi dues is limited by low activity and/or specificities of isolated/recombinant HATs. We propose to combine directed evolution with biochemical and in vivo assays to understand the functional consequences of modifying specific histone lysine residues. We will use natural HATs as starting points to evolve novel HATs that have enhanced activities and altered specificities. These engineered HATs will be used to generate histone with specific acetylation patters, which will permit reconstitution of defined chromat in templates to probe the biological function of histone acetylation in detail.The proposed research project will lead to a better understanding of how chromatin modification and physiological responses are related. This knowledge is instrumental to fully understand how eukaryotic organisms turn on and off gene transcription by chemical modification of histones. Thus, the proposed fellow will contribute to EU scientific excellence by starting a new area of research in the field of chromatin function. Detail ed insights into these mechanisms are very likely to provide new targets for gene transcription inhibition and are thus of great importance for the pharmaceutical and medical community.
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 genetics chromosomes
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins enzymes
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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.
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.
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.
FP6-2002-MOBILITY-5
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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.
Coordinator
CAMBRIDGE
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.