Descripción del proyecto
Visión holística de los ARN circulares
Los ARN circulares son moléculas de ARN monocatenario con estructura circular que se expresan de forma ubicua en todas las especies, desde los virus hasta los mamíferos. Los ARN circulares han suscitado un gran interés debido a su posible participación en las enfermedades relacionadas con el envejecimiento. El proyecto circRTrain, financiado por las acciones Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, tiene por objeto investigar la biogénesis y función de los ARN circulares, comprender su papel en las enfermedades y explorar su potencial como biomarcadores. Sus investigadores combinarán diferentes tecnologías y sistemas modelo para comprender la relevancia médica de los ARN circulares. Además, en el proyecto se formará a investigadores noveles en este nuevo y prometedor campo.
Objetivo
CircRTrain focuses on circular RNAs (circRNAs), a new large class of single-stranded RNAs with covalently closed ends. CircRNAs have only very recently attracted high general interest and become the focus of an increasing number of publications: recent discoveries through sequencing technology and computational analyses have revealed the widespread existence of circRNAs in animal cells. Particularly in neural tissues, circRNA expression is high, dynamic, and evolutionarily conserved. In aging animal brains the expression of certain circRNAs is strongly elevated, suggesting connections to age-related diseases. The study of circRNAs thus emerges as a novel topic with highest importance for the understanding of such diverse conditions as neurodegenerative diseases, aging, and cancer. Moreover, the highly stable expression and their presence in human blood and exosomes make circRNAs attractive biomarker candidates.
The overall aims of circRTrain are to 1. Elucidate the biogenesis and function of circRNAs; 2. Define their role in diseases; 3. Exploit their potential as biomarkers and for medical applications; and 4. Combine cutting-edge technologies and disciplines.
Understanding circRNAs and exploring their medical relevance requires to integrate various technologies (sequencing, single-molecule and whole-organism imaging, RNA knockdown/delivery, CRISPR/CAS9), disciplines (biochemistry, computational biology, genetics), model systems (worm, fly, mouse, human) and medical applications (biomarkers, new therapeutic strategies).
CircRTrain will combine these diverse approaches and industrial technologies by training 15 early stage researchers (ESR) at two SMEs and seven academic partners, which are all leaders in their respective fields. Additionally, cooperation with four partner organizations, circRNA devoted conferences, winter- and summer schools will extend training for the ESRs, sustaining the critical number of young talented professionals in the field.
Ámbito científico
- medical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologygenetic engineeringgene therapy
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteins
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncology
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsRNA
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicineneurologyamyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Programa(s)
Régimen de financiación
MSCA-ITN-ETN - European Training NetworksCoordinador
13125 Berlin
Alemania