'Systems' study of cellular growth, shape and polarity

Objective

A major challenge of modern biology is to elucidate how cellular structure and function result from the systemic action of the genome and proteome. In this proposal, we describe an integrated approach combining high-content and quantitative microscopy, systematic gene knockouts, and computational/theoretical methods to carry out the most detailed systemic study of three key aspects of cell physiology: growth, shape and polarity. We will use the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe as experimental model organism. The haploid fission yeast with its relative genomic simplicity, genetic tractability, uniform size and shape, and well-characterized, conserved and simple growth and polarization machinery is ideal for this study. A better understanding of the systemic regulation of those processes is likely to contribute in the long run to the development of better strategies to fight cellular pathologies associated with many diseases, such as cancer.

Field of science

/natural sciences/biological sciences/genetics and heredity/genome

Funding Scheme

ERC-SG - ERC Starting Grant

Host institution

THE CHANCELLOR MASTERS AND SCHOLARSOF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE

Address

Trinity Lane The Old Schools
CB2 1TN Cambridge
United Kingdom

Activity type

Higher or Secondary Education Establishments

EU contribution

€ 1 697 400

Website

Contact the organisation

Principal investigator

Rafael Edgardo Carazo Salas (Dr.)

Administrative Contact

Renata Schaeffer (Ms.)

Beneficiaries (1)