Objective Epigenetic inheritance is the transmission of information, generally in the form of DNA methylation or post-translational modifications on histones that regulate the availability of underlying genetic information for transcription. RNA itself feeds back to contribute to histone modification. Sequence accessibility is both a matter of folding the chromatin fibre to alter access to recognition motifs, and the local concentration of factors needed for efficient transcriptional initiation, elongation, termination or mRNA stability. In heterochromatin we find a subset of regulatory factors in carefully balanced concentrations that are maintained in part by the segregation of active and inactive domains. Histone H3 K9 methylation is key to this compartmentation. C. elegans provides an ideal system in which to study chromatin-based gene repression. We have demonstrated that histone H3 K9 methylation is the essential signal for the sequestration of heterochromatin at the nuclear envelope in C. elegans. The recognition of H3K9me1/2/3 by an inner nuclear envelope-bound chromodomain protein, CEC-4, actively sequesters heterochromatin in embryos, and contributes redundantly in adult tissues. Epiherigans has the ambitious goal to determine definitively what targets H3K9 methylation, and identify its physiological roles. We will examine how this mark contributes to the epigenetic recognition of repeat vs non-repeat sequence, and mediates a stress-induced response to oxidative damage. We will examine the link between these and the spatial clustering of heterochromatic domains. Epiherigans will develop an integrated approach to identify in vivo the factors that distinguish repeats from non-repeats, self from non-self within genomes and will examine how H3K9me contributes to a persistent ROS or DNA damage stress response. It represents a crucial step towards understanding of how our genomes use heterochromatin to modulate, stabilize and transmit chromatin organization. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsDNAmedical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncologynatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsRNAmedical and health sciencesclinical medicineembryologymedical and health sciencesbasic medicinephysiologyhomeostasis Keywords Epiherigans Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme Topic(s) ERC-2016-ADG - ERC Advanced Grant Call for proposal ERC-2016-ADG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-ADG - Advanced Grant Host institution UNIVERSITE DE LAUSANNE Net EU contribution € 7 023,56 Address QUARTIER UNIL CENTRE - BATIMENT UNICENTRE 1015 LAUSANNE Switzerland See on map Region Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera Région lémanique Vaud 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 Total cost € 7 023,56 Beneficiaries (2) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all UNIVERSITE DE LAUSANNE Switzerland Net EU contribution € 7 023,56 Address QUARTIER UNIL CENTRE - BATIMENT UNICENTRE 1015 LAUSANNE See on map Region Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera Région lémanique Vaud 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 Total cost € 7 023,56 FRIEDRICH MIESCHER INSTITUTE FOR BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH FONDATION Switzerland Net EU contribution € 2 492 976,44 Address MAULBEERSTRASSE 66 4058 Basel See on map Region Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera Nordwestschweiz Basel-Stadt Activity type Research Organisations 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 Total cost € 2 492 976,44
