Objective
In carcinogenesis epigenetic aberrations occur early, are widespread across the genome and are potentially reversible. DNA methylation (5mC) at gene promoters and CpG islands (CGIs) is well recognized for affecting gene expression. In contrast, little is known on the role of DNA methylation in distal regulatory elements (DREs). Based on recent genome-wide studies, we hypothesize that DREs are more sensitive than CGIs to changes in DNA methylation, thus they may function as primary responders to epigenetic therapies. We previously showed DREs are indeed epigenetically dynamic and prone to demethylation, the process that may involve a newly identified DNA modification, cytosine hydroxymethylation (5hmC). The molecular mechanisms by which these modifications are targeted to specific genomic locations are not well understood.
The project aims to identify the role DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation play in the maintenance and functioning of DREs during cancer progression and treatment. For that, genome-wide methods will be developed for the identification of DREs followed by targeted enrichment using DNA capture array and sequencing. This will allow for simultaneous analysis of 5mC and 5hmC modifications at base-pair resolution. We will examine the effects of virus infection and chronic inflammation on DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation in cultured oral keratinoctes while focusing on the changes in transcription factor binding as a potential targeting mechanism. The effect of DNA methylation inhibitors will be examined to identify key methylation events within DREs required for cancer cell survival. Clinical relevance of the key methylated regions will then be evaluated on a panel of head and neck cancers from well characterized cohorts of patients.
This investigation will reveal important molecular aspects of chromatin function in tumorigenesis, thereby improving prospects for developing personalized cancer therapies that target epigenetic modifications.
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 virology
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics DNA
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology head and neck cancer
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics genomes
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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-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
B15 2TT Birmingham
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.