Objective
The fossil record suggests that fish fins suffered sequential transformations, giving rise to limbs close to the origin of tetrapods. However, the molecular mechanisms that underlie this evolutionary transition remain unclear. Interestingly, Hoxd genes exhibit a single phase of expression during zebrafish fin development but, in contrast, are expressed in two independent phases during mice limb development. The second phase is essential for digit development, the main innovation of the tetrapod limb, and is activated by enhancer elements upstream of the HoxD cluster. This suggests that acquisition of transcriptional regulators of 5’ Hoxd genes may explain the origin of digits in the tetrapod lineage (“cis” evolution hypothesis). Alternatively, these structures may have developed due to recruitment of new binding factors that acted on pre-existent 5’ Hoxd gene enhancers giving rise to a second phase of expression during limb development (“trans” evolution hypothesis). In this project, we will discern the contribution of the “cis” and the “trans” hypothesis to explain the activation of 5’ Hoxd genes that may have lead to the origin of digits in tetrapods. To this end, we will use a methodology that allows identification of highly conserved non-coding regulatory regions using Xenopus and zebrafish transgenic assays.
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.
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.
FP7-PEOPLE-2007-2-1-IEF
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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
28006 MADRID
Spain
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.