Objective Genome evolution is driven by the generation of diversity. In mammals, genome diversification occurs in germline during the specialised division (meiosis) in gametes, when chromosomes recombine and assort into new haploid sets as they are passed from parent to offspring. Recently, the traditional view that genome diversification occurs exclusively in the germline has been challenged by findings that mutations in early embryos may cause predisposition to childhood cancers. We are uniquely placed to explore genome diversification in the germline and early embryos due to our breakthroughs in developing single-cell genomics and reproductive technologies. Our strategic aim is to uncover the capacity for genetic diversity in the human genome and investigate how DNA repair capacity in adult oocytes and early embryos facilitates genome stability. This will allow us to identify the selective forces that shape the genomic landscape in humans. Based on preliminary data, we hypothesize that repair capacity determines reproductive fitness of mammalian females, and that impaired repair capacity may underlie infertility, miscarriage, and congenital disorders. In Objective 1 we focus on adult oocytes, their survival in the adult ovary and the maintenance of genetic quality as women age. Objective 2 investigates genome diversification and stability in early embryos and putative ‘self-corrective’ mechanisms that restore the genetic quality of embryos. This proposal will shed light on a poorly understood area of enormous socioeconomic and medical importance. Fields of science medical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncologynatural sciencesbiological scienceszoologymammalogynatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticshereditymedical and health sciencesclinical medicineembryologynatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsgenomes Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme Topic(s) ERC-2016-COG - ERC Consolidator Grant Call for proposal ERC-2016-COG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-COG - Consolidator Grant Coordinator KOBENHAVNS UNIVERSITET Net EU contribution € 1 997 592,92 Address Norregade 10 1165 Kobenhavn Denmark See on map Region Danmark Hovedstaden Byen København Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments 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 Other funding € 0,00 Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all KOBENHAVNS UNIVERSITET Denmark Net EU contribution € 1 997 592,92 Address Norregade 10 1165 Kobenhavn See on map Region Danmark Hovedstaden Byen København Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments 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 Other funding € 0,00
