Objective
Striking morphological transformations are a hallmark of any cell division cycle. During nuclear division chromatin is compacted into distinctive rod-shaped chromatids in preparation of chromosome segregation by the spindle apparatus. Multi-subunit SMC protein complexes and a large number of regulatory factors are at the heart of this elementary process. SMC complexes also play key roles during other aspects of genome function such as the control of gene expression and the repair of damaged DNA. They are thought to act as chromatin linkers with exquisite specificity for certain pairs of DNA fibres. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not understood. Active extrusion of DNA loops by the SMC complex has been proposed to be the mechanistic basis for the establishment of long-range, intra-chromatid DNA bridges.
Here, I put forward a multi-pronged research programme that aims to elucidate fundamentally conserved features of SMC protein function and action using the prokaryotic SMC condensin complex in Bacillus subtilis as a tractable model system. We will conduct a combined structural, biochemical and cell biology approach (including crystallography, electron paramagnetic resonance, ChIP-Seq and ‘native’ HiC) to uncover how the SMC complex acts at the higher levels of organization of the bacterial chromosome to promote the efficient individualization of sister DNA molecules. We will reveal the molecular and structural bases for the association between the SMC complex and the bacterial chromosome at different stages of the loading reaction – each representing a crucial intermediate in a sophisticated chromosome organization process. For the first time, we will be able to map the paths of chromosomal DNA through an SMC complex.
Our in-depth mechanistic insights will likely have implications for the understanding of various pathological conditions and have the potential to contribute to the development of novel antibacterial compounds.
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: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics DNA
- natural sciences earth and related environmental sciences geology mineralogy crystallography
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- natural sciences biological sciences cell biology
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics chromosomes
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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.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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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.
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.
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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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.
1015 LAUSANNE
Switzerland
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.