Objective
To be faithfully transmitted during cell division, chromosomes segregate on the mitotic spindle. The spindle assembles by the separation and migration of the two centrosomes nucleating microtubules either side of the condensed chromosomes. Aurora A kinase, whose gene is a human cancer susceptibility gene, appears necessary for correct spindle assembly. Nevertheless, how it orchestrates the process is not fully understood.
We propose to study roles of Aurora A in regulating spindle function through motor com plexes and microtubules associated proteins responsible for the migration of centrosomes. The aim of this project is first to analyse the defects in mitotic spindle formation in living drosophila embryo mutant for Aurora A or injected with Aurora A inhibitors (molecules tested as anti-cancer agents in pre-clinical studies at Cyclacel Ltd).
Secondly, I will study the role of Aurora A phosphorylation on potential substrates of the kinase associated with microtubules. I will use mass spectrometry to identify the phosphorylation sites. I will then mutate these sites and determine the effects upon assembly of the mitotic spindle. This project fits to a thematic priority of the FP6 program, namely to combat cancer.
The combined use of embryo imaging, Drosophila genetics and biochemistry will allow us to understand fundamentals of a biological process of therapeutic interest in cancer treatment. The main skills required for this project are totally new for me as my former experience was in the characterisation of the IGF-1 signal transduction pathway by means of biochemical and cellular biological approaches in Huntingtons disease.
Thus I am switching fields and joining a leading cell cycle group where I will become familiar with new methods and techniques. The opportunity to carry out my postdoctoral training at the University of Cambridge places me in a renowned and stimulating scientific environment that will be of great benefit to my growth as a scientist.
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 neurology dementia
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
- natural sciences chemical sciences analytical chemistry mass spectrometry
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics chromosomes
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine embryology
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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.
FP6-2005-MOBILITY-5
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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
CAMBRIDGE
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.