Objective The ATR protein kinase controls the DNA damage response (DDR), with ATM, Chk1 and Chk2. DDR genes are often mutated in cancer cells and act as an anti-cancer barrier in response to oncogenic stimuli. ATR is essential and protects the integrity of replicating chromosomes, prevents fragile site expression and aberrant condensation events. The Foiani laboratory recently found that ATR associates with the nuclear envelope during S phase and prophase and in response to osmotic or mechanical stress. Moreover, ATR-defective cells exhibit aberrant chromatin condensation and nuclear envelope breakdown. These observations prompted us to suggest that the ATR-mediated mechanical response enables cells to cope with the mechanical stress induced by topological transitions through the modulation of nuclear plasticity and chromatin association to the nuclear envelope. However, the molecular mechanism and functional relevance of ATR-mediated mechanical response remain unclear. Mechanosensing occurs primarily through the actin cytoskeleton, which forms the cellular mechanical system linking the extracellular microenvironment to the nucleus. We aim at understanding the connections between the ATR-mediated mechanotransduction pathway and actin modulation in response to mechanical stress. Our working hypothesis is that ATR may be part of an integrated response to mechanical stress that has a more general role in controlling cell and nuclear plasticity through the modulation of actin cytoskeleton and nuclear events. To address these questions, we will employ and develop various multidisciplinary approaches including state-of-the-art Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), micropatterned protein substrate, novel microfluidic device and accompanied with advanced molecular biology techniques in order to quantitatively and systematically explore the ATR mediated mechanotransduction. Fields of science medical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacydrug discoverynatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsDNAnatural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsmicroscopymedical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncologynatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticschromosomes Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2015-EF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-EF) Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2015 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF Coordinator IFOM-ISTITUTO FONDAZIONE DI ONCOLOGIA MOLECOLARE ETS Net EU contribution € 180 277,20 Address VIA ADAMELLO 16 20139 Milano Italy See on map Region Nord-Ovest Lombardia Milano Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 180 277,20