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Herpesvirus Effectors of RNA synthesis, Processing, Export and Stability

Objective

Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) is an important human pathogen, which intensively interacts with the cellular transcriptional machinery at multiple levels during lytic infection. Employing next-generation sequencing to study RNA synthesis, processing and translation in short intervals throughout lytic HSV-1 infection, my laboratory made the surprising observation that HSV-1 triggers widespread disruption of transcription termination of cellular but not viral genes. Transcription commonly extends for tens-of-thousands of nucleotides beyond poly(A)-sites and into downstream genes. In contrast to textbook knowledge, HSV-1 infection does not inhibit splicing but induces a broad range of aberrant splicing events associated with disruption of transcription termination. Exploring these fascinating phenomena will provide fundamental insights into RNA biology of human cells.
The proposed work combines both hypothesis-driven and innovative unbiased screening approaches. I will utilise cutting-edge methodology ranging from high-throughput studies to advanced single molecule imaging. Thereby, I will detail the molecular mechanisms responsible for disruption of transcription termination and aberrant splicing. I will identify novel cellular proteins governing transcription termination using a genome-wide Cas9-knockout screen. I will develop RNA aptamer technology to visualise and track single RNA molecules suffering from poly(A) read-through. I will elucidate why transcription termination of some cellular and all viral genes remains unaltered throughout infection. I hypothesize that the alterations in RNA processing are depicted by specific changes in RNA Polymerase II CTD phosphorylation and in the associated proteins. I will characterise these dynamic changes using mNET-seq and quantitative proteomics. Finally, data-driven quantitative bioinformatic modelling will detail how the coupling of RNA synthesis, processing, export, stability and translation is orchestrated by HSV-1.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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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.

ERC-COG - Consolidator Grant

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) ERC-2016-COG

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Host institution

JULIUS-MAXIMILIANS-UNIVERSITAT WURZBURG
Net EU contribution

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.

€ 1 994 375,00
Address
SANDERRING 2
97070 Wuerzburg
Germany

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Region
Bayern Unterfranken Würzburg, Kreisfreie Stadt
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

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.

€ 1 994 375,00

Beneficiaries (1)

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