Objective
Throughout evolution, primate genomes have been under attack by different classes of retrotransposons, retrovirus-derived mobile DNA elements. As a result, an astonishing ~50% of the human genome is derived from many types of retrotransposons. I previously showed that primate-specific retrotransposon invasions are restricted by primate-specific KRAB zinc finger proteins. These findings suggest that through recruitment to thousands of new genomic locations, KRAB zinc finger proteins have become intimately integrated into pre-existing gene regulatory pathways. Retrotransposons are an important source for evolutionary novelties, but the impact of thousands of human-specific retrotransposon-KZNF regulatory modules on the evolution of human gene expression patterns is unknown. There is increasing evidence that retrotransposons become reactivated during neural differentiation, suggesting that neuronal gene-regulatory networks may be extra sensitive to retrotransposon insertions. Furthermore, new retrotransposon insertions may hold clues to the mechanism of human disease: Even when retrotransposons are efficiently silenced in health, they may become aberrantly activated by changes in DNA methylation observed in neurological diseases and cancer. Using a previously established human and non-human primate stem cell cortical neuron differentiation assay, I will identify, validate and functionally test neurodevelopmental genes that have come under the control of retrotransposons. This will address the impact of recent waves of retrotransposon insertions on the evolution of human neural gene expression patterns and opens up the exploration of how new retrotransposon insertions may be correlated to human neurological disorders. The Marie Skłodowska-Curie individual fellowship will provide the opportunity to establish my research group in Europe and re-integrate in Dutch and EU networks, as well as allow me to achieve my professional development training goals.
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 zoology mammalogy primatology
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry transition metals
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology cells technologies stem cells
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine neurology
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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.
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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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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.
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.
MSCA-IF-EF-RI - RI – Reintegration panel
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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.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2014
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
1012WX Amsterdam
Netherlands
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.