Objective
The proposed project aims to elucidate the epigenome of cancer stem cells in breast tumours in an effort to shed some light into the pathophysiology of these cells and with the ultimate goal of developing therapeutic schemes that target them specifically.
Accumulating evidence suggests that only a subset of cancer cells, the CSCs, have the ability of self-renewal and can support cancer progression, while the rest of the tumour cells have only limited proliferative capacity and do not significantly contribute to tumour growth. Consequently, successfull anti-cancer treatments should seek to specifically eradicate these cells and not target the bulk of the tumour. To this end, it is critical that we reveal and study the unique genetic and epigenetic characteristics of CSCs. Epigenetic mechanisms are believed to drive the differentiation of CSCs to less malignant cells. Thus, differences in their epigenome may be accountable for their different tumourigenic potential.
In the first aim of the proposed project we will perform analysis of the epigenome (DNA methylation, post-translational histone modifications and small non-coding RNAs) of breast CSCs and non-CSCs by next-generation sequencing. The data generated from these experiments are expected to reveal the unique epigenetic signature of breast CSCs.
This information will be used in the second aim of this project to develop and validate an in vitro cell culture system that will mimick the in vivo state of CSCs. This system will be used for screening drugs that specifically target epigenetic mechanisms in CSCs, as opposed to current epigenetic treatments for breast cancer that target the phenotypic characteristics of the bulk of the tumor.
The proposed project is expected to contribute significantly in a new exciting field, that of cancer stem cells, and to help the applicant reintegrate in the European research community after training and working at top Institutes of USA and Canada for many years.
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.
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology pathophysiology
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology cells technologies stem cells
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology breast cancer
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics RNA
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics epigenetics epigenomes
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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.
FP7-PEOPLE-2011-CIG
See other projects for this call
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.
MC-CIG - Support for training and career development of researcher (CIG)
Coordinator
700 13 IRAKLEIO
Greece
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.