Cel At the onset of division the cell forms a spindle, a micro-machine made of microtubules, which divide the chromosomes by pulling on kinetochores, protein complexes on the chromosome. The central question in the field is how accurate chromosome segregation results from the interactions between kinetochores, microtubules and the associated proteins. According to the current paradigm, the forces on kinetochores are produced by k-fibers, bundles of microtubules extending between the spindle pole and the kinetochore. The proposed project is built upon a groundbreaking hypothesis that a new class of microtubules, which we term bridging microtubules, bridge sister kinetochores. Our preliminary results show that bridging microtubules are responsible for the positioning of kinetochores in HeLa and PtK1 cells. Bridging microtubules have not been studied before because this requires cutting-edge microscopy and laser microsurgery techniques. By applying these methods, with which I have extensive expertise, we will determine the organization of these microtubules, identify the proteins that link them with k-fibers, and uncover where and how the forces for kinetochore positioning and movement are generated. My strength is in taking an interdisciplinary approach, which I will use in this project by combining laser microsurgery with genetic perturbations, quantitative measurements of the responses and comparison with theoretical models. Understanding the role of bridging microtubules in force generation and chromosome movements will not only shed light on the mechanism of chromosome segregation, but may also increase the potential of mitotic anticancer strategies, as the spindle is a major target for chemotherapy. The proposed ERC funding is essential for the success of these timely and ambitious experiments, allowing me to strengthen my position as an international leader in research on cell division, thereby increasing Europe's foremost position in this field. Dziedzina nauki engineering and technologymaterials engineeringfibersnatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsnatural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsmicroscopynatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticschromosomesnatural sciencesphysical sciencesopticslaser physics Program(-y) H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme Temat(-y) ERC-CoG-2014 - ERC Consolidator Grant Zaproszenie do składania wniosków ERC-2014-CoG Zobacz inne projekty w ramach tego zaproszenia System finansowania ERC-COG - Consolidator Grant Instytucja przyjmująca RUDER BOSKOVIC INSTITUTE Wkład UE netto € 2 150 000,00 Adres Bijenicka cesta 54 10000 Zagreb Chorwacja Zobacz na mapie Region Hrvatska Grad Zagreb Grad Zagreb Rodzaj działalności Research Organisations Linki Kontakt z organizacją Opens in new window Strona internetowa Opens in new window Uczestnictwo w unijnych programach w zakresie badań i innowacji Opens in new window sieć współpracy HORIZON Opens in new window Koszt całkowity € 2 150 000,00 Beneficjenci (1) Sortuj alfabetycznie Sortuj według wkładu UE netto Rozwiń wszystko Zwiń wszystko RUDER BOSKOVIC INSTITUTE Chorwacja Wkład UE netto € 2 150 000,00 Adres Bijenicka cesta 54 10000 Zagreb Zobacz na mapie Region Hrvatska Grad Zagreb Grad Zagreb Rodzaj działalności Research Organisations Linki Kontakt z organizacją Opens in new window Strona internetowa Opens in new window Uczestnictwo w unijnych programach w zakresie badań i innowacji Opens in new window sieć współpracy HORIZON Opens in new window Koszt całkowity € 2 150 000,00