Objective
Regulation of gene expression is a fundamental process in all cellular systems. While the major steps in gene regulation such as transcription and translation are well understood, the role of tRNA availability (e.g. abundance, half-life) in regulating translation is largely unknown. The ultimate objective of this proposal is to investigate how tRNA availability within a cell can influence which mRNA molecules are actively translated by the ribosome. More specifically, it aims to address (i) whether mechanisms such as transcription, nucleo-cytoplasmic transport and degradation vary for individual tRNAs coding for different amino acids and (ii) how altered tRNA dynamics can affect protein abundance, and hence fitness, in different cellular conditions.
To address these questions, I propose systematically charting the tRNA abundance landscape using yeast as a model organism. I will quantitatively investigate the processes of tRNA production, transport and degradation, in order to determine which steps in tRNA homeostasis are altered under diverse stress conditions, compared to optimal growth conditions. I will then investigate the impact of tRNA dynamics in cell fitness through competitive growth experiments. In this manner, I propose to construct the first dynamic map of tRNA abundance, which holds the potential to help understand the process of gene expression regulation in fine detail.
In the long-term, the goals described in this proposal will not only provide new insights into regulatory mechanisms of protein translation but will also help to achieve a better understanding of factors that influence fitness and cell survival. With recent discoveries relating changes in tRNA abundance to apoptosis and gene misregulation in tumorigenic cells, future research on understanding how tRNA availability is regulated and how it contributes to cell survival could lead to new strategies for the rational design of molecular therapies against cancer.
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 earth and related environmental sciences physical geography cartography
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
- natural sciences chemical sciences organic chemistry amines
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology homeostasis
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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-2012-IEF
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.
Coordinator
W1B 1AL LONDON
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.