Objective
Many biological processes are established by transcriptional control mechanisms, which involve reversible chromatin modifications. Mainly the interplay between methylation and acetylation of histone tails defines the epigenome of a given cell type. Stem cells must maintain pluripotency, and their differentiation potential relies on the plasticity of their epigenome.
The mammalian germ line originates from a group of differentiating somatic precursors, implying that developing germ cells must reprogram their epigenetic settings to enable totipotency after conception. Primordial germ cells (PGCs) undergo both, DNA demethylation and dynamic changes of repressive histone methylation marks at histones H3 and H4.
Thus, PGC differentiation represents a natural system to analyze epigenetic plasticity and the established mechanisms will provide understanding of stem cell identity. The proposed study aims to define biological functions of selected histone methyltransferases (HMTs) during germ cell development. Firstly, work in the hosting institute defined histone tail methylations that are hallmarks of differentiating germ cells.
Analysis of PGC-specific gene deficient animals for the respective known HMTs Ezh2 and PR-Set7 will reveal the contribution of histone methylation to germ cell development and, in particular, to epigenetic reprogramming. The underlying molecular mechanism will be investigated by microarray-based identification of direct target genes. Secondly, expression analyses identified a small group of putative HMTs that are selectively expressed in stem cell entities.
We will reveal their spatiotemporal expression patterns and their histone target specificities. RNAi mediated ablation will address their function in ex vivo germ cell differentiation. Our work will reveal mechanisms of epigenetic plasticity and define principles that govern reprogramming in the transition from pluripotent progenitors to lineage specific phenotypes and vice versa.
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
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology cells technologies stem cells
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics epigenetics epigenomes
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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.
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
Switzerland
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.