Ziel
The mammalian genome is packaged into a dynamic structure known as chromatin. There are a range of mechanisms - often referred to as 'epigenetic' controls -that alter its structure and function. These include post-translational modifications, histone variants, and non-coding RNAs. Considerable efforts have been directed at deciphering the epigenetic mechanisms that govern vital biological events such as centromere maintenance, cell-fate determination during development and targeted-recombination. Chromatin pathways are receiving increasing attention as drug targets, since epigenetic components lead to major human diseases such as cancer and heart disease. The complexity of the underlying molecular events, combined with the rapid pace of technological progress and specialization, calls for an integrated effort taking ull advantage of synergistic in vitro, in vivo, clinical and therapeutic approaches. We focus our work on specialized histones, non-coding RNAs and miRNAs. In addition, we analyze how alternative splicing and chromatin-binding metabolites directly influence chromatin structure. This is complemented by novel RNA tools, statistical methods, conceptual breakthroughs, therapeutic targets and patentable lead compounds. We build an innovative and strong training initiative that will expose ESRs to the best-of-practice approaches and scientific interdisciplinarity across academia and industry. Further, we will improve existing standards of training and career development for ERs, which to date has not received as much attention, yet is vital to promote life science and the development of talented and independent researchers. Our multidisciplinary and intersectorial RTN prepares the next generation of European scientists to the highest standards and will reveal novel mechanisms of chromatin plasticity.
Wissenschaftliches Gebiet
Schlüsselbegriffe
Aufforderung zur Vorschlagseinreichung
FP6-2005-MOBILITY-1
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