Descrizione del progetto
Una visione olistica degli RNA circolari
Gli RNA circolari sono molecole di RNA chiuse a singolo filamento che vengono espresse in modo ubiquitario in tutte le specie, dai virus ai mammiferi. Gli RNA circolari suscitano un notevole interesse per il loro potenziale coinvolgimento nelle malattie legate all’età. Il progetto circRTrain, finanziato dal programma di azioni Marie Skłodowska-Curie, intende studiare la biogenesi e la funzione degli RNA circolari, comprenderne il ruolo nelle malattie e approfondirne le potenzialità come biomarcatori. I ricercatori combineranno diverse tecnologie e sistemi modello per comprendere l’importanza medica degli RNA circolari. Inoltre, il progetto formerà ricercatori in fase iniziale di carriera in questo nuovo e promettente campo.
Obiettivo
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.
Campo scientifico
- 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
Programma(i)
Argomento(i)
Meccanismo di finanziamento
MSCA-ITN-ETN - European Training NetworksCoordinatore
13125 Berlin
Germania