Objective
How stem cell populations balance the opposing forces of self-renewal and differentiation to maintain a functional population is a question that strikes at the heart of what it means to be a stem cell. Undifferentiated embryonic stem cell (ESC) identity is maintained by transcription factors (TFs) of the pluripotency gene regulatory network (PGRN) centred on the TFs Oct4, Sox2 and Nanog. ESCs with high levels of Nanog self-renew efficiently while ESCs with low Nanog levels are prone to differentiate. Therefore, the observed heterogeneous expression of some PGRN components, in particular Nanog, is likely to be important for simultaneous maintenance of self-renewal and facilitation of differentiation, thereby sustaining functional pluripotency. In this proposal I will unravel mechanisms establishing heterogeneity and characterise the role of Nanog in generating ESC heterogeneity. By determining chromatin binding dependencies between TFs and by using a novel approach to identify functional cis-elements that mediate Nanog action, these studies will illuminate mechanisms regulating ESC phenotype. The hypothesis that pluripotency is generated by heterogeneity in PGRN component expression, that then generates an ESC population in which single cells have distinct intrinsic probabilities for differentiation into specific cell types will be tested. Interfering with PGRN component function locus-specifically using a high efficiency genome engineering strategy, will explore a new method to influence cell-fate. Together, the proposed innovative experiments aim to increase the understanding of the causes and consequences of PGRN component heterogeneity and the regulation of pluripotency that may be of relevance to other stem cell systems. The results will have important implications for ESC biology, in terms of increasing the efficiencies of ESC derivation, differentiation, and the use of ESCs in future cell based regenerative medicine approaches.
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 genetics DNA
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology cells technologies stem cells
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics genomes
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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.
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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 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)
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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.
EH8 9YL Edinburgh
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.