Objective
The production of proteins in bacteria is largely controlled by the regulation of gene transcription, via the binding of protein "transcription factors" to the DNA. This network of regulatory interactions allows the bacterium to control its internal processes and interact with the environment in a sophisticated way. The production and degradation of transcription factors is, however, strongly affected by the cell cycle. During the cell cycle, the DNA in the cell is copied and the cell volume doubles, before the cell divides in two. Although these events must have important and striking consequences for the performance of bacterial gene networks, these effects have hardly been addressed either theoretically or experimentally.
In this project, a combined simulation and experimental approach is proposed, to investigate the effect of the cell cycle on gene networks in the bacterium Escherichia coli. We will use advanced simulation techniques, including a method developed by me during my Marie Curie Fellowship, to predict the growth-rate dependence of the performance of two simple, representative gene circuits: an auto-repressor loop and a bistable switch. In parallel, experiments will be carried out to incorporate already existing gene circuits onto the chromosome of E. coli, in order to measure their behaviour for different bacterial growth rates. For the auto-repressor, the output will be the average repressor concentration and the variation among cells in a genetically identical population; for the switch, it will be the spontaneous flipping rate. The results will be compared directly to simulation predictions.
The project aims at a quantitative understanding of the performance of gene networks, for cells in "real-life" situations of growth and division. We seek to bridge the gap between the current simple models and naturally occurring gene networks. Integration of high-level theoretical work with experiments makes this a very exciting proposal.
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 microbiology bacteriology
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics DNA
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics chromosomes
- natural sciences mathematics applied mathematics mathematical model
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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.
FP6-2004-MOBILITY-11
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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
EDINBURGH
United Kingdom
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.