Objective
The centromere is a unique specialized chromatin domain responsible for the nucleation of the kinetochore, a large proteinaceous complex that, during mitosis, powers and controls chromosome movement on spindle microtubules ensuring accurate chromosome segregation, thereby preventing aneuploidy, a major hallmark of human cancers. Although directly embedded in chromatin no specific DNA sequence is either necessary or sufficient to propagate the centromere which is specified largely in an epigenetic manner. The primary candidate for centromere identification is CENP-A, a histone H3 variant that assembles specifically into centromeric nucleosomes and nucleates the assembly of the entire centromere complex. How this epigenetic “mark” is initiated and stably maintained while the underlying genome is continuously duplicated as cells divide remains a mystery. This is due, in part, to the inability to track proteins long term. I have adopted a novel fluorescent pulse labeling technique to specifically tackle this problem and established the basic long term dynamics of centromeric CENP-A chromatin. Here, I propose to build on these initial results and further develop this state-of-the-art fluorescent labeling technology combined with high-end imaging to determine how epigenetic factors are maintained and replenished across cell divisions using the centromere as a model while also expanding the analysis to include other epigenetic components. Through these new cell-biological tools in conjunction with molecular genetic and biochemical assays, I have devised a multifaceted approach to identify factors mediating CENP-A assembly as well as to determine the role of centromeric DNA in the initiation of the epigenetic mark. Collectively, these efforts are aimed at elucidating the general principles of epigenetic inheritance that are fundamental to transcription regulation, developmental programs and genome organization.
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 biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics chromosomes
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics genomes
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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.
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-2007-4-3-IRG
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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
1067-001 LISBOA
Portugal
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.