Objective
Protein-coding sequences represent only a tiny fraction of the human genome. Since biologists have started to explore the puzzling remainder, the 'dark matter' of the genome, the number of known non-protein-coding genes has been growing rapidly. In particular hundreds of genes encoding microRNAs (miRNAs), regulators of key molecular processes in animals and plants, have been identified over the last five years and recent studies indicate considerably higher gene numbers. As non-coding RNA genes are often less evolutionarily conserved than protein-coding genes, and mature miRNAs are hard to clone, novel sensitive approaches are required for their identification. We propose an interdisciplinary approach for discovering RNAs that combines high-throughput functional genomics, nucleotide sequence analysis, and comparative genomics. In particular, we intend to utilise a series of high-density oligonucleotide tiling arrays, which enable the sensitive measurement of transcription on the entire non-repetitive sequence (sense and antisense strands) of the human genome at high (<40 nucleotide) resolution. The approach will cover the following steps:
(1) detection of transcribed genomic regions;
(2) identification of regions unlikely to encode proteins;
(3) detection of evolutionarily conserved blocks of DNA;
(4) examination of such regions for typical properties characterising known non-coding RNA genes, e.g. stem-loop-forming potential and specific patterns of conservation.
The project will involve a tight collaboration between the host laboratory and the experimental group of Michael Snyder at Yale, both experts in constructing and analysing tiling arrays. As tiling arrays allow an unbiased search for biologically relevant regions, are sensitive, and can be readily applied to distinct cell types, we expect that many novel non-coding RNA genes, including miRNA genes, will be detected. Furthermore, previously predicted gene structures will be confirmed, and refined.
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 biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- natural sciences physical sciences astronomy astrophysics dark matter
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics nucleotides
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics RNA
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics genomes
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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.
FP6-2004-MOBILITY-6
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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.
OIF - Marie Curie actions-Outgoing International Fellowships
Coordinator
HEIDELBERG
Germany
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.