Objective Errors in replication of DNA lead to serious diseases like cancer, inherited neurological and muscular diseases. Replication is constantly challenged by various obstacles that can result in error-prone replication. Replication fork barriers (RFBs) include proteins bound to DNA, structure forming sequences and DNA/RNA hybrids. Replication forks (RFs) stalled or blocked at these barriers can be rescued by a converging fork. But if this fails blocked RF must be restarted to complete replication. Restart using homologous recombination (HR) can lead to gross chromosomal rearrangements and copy number variations. The newly restarted replication fork is also prone to slippage leading to mutation and rearrangements. The research questions I will address are how this RF is restarted and why it is error prone. I will focus on restart at a site-specific RFB in fission yeast, RTS1. Restart at RTS1 has been well characterised in the host laboratory. My project will identify DNA structures formed during the RF restart and characterise recruitment of factors involved in the restart of the collapsed RF. The acquired data will enable us to further understand the mechanism of RF restart and to unravel the cause of the error prone nature of newly restarted RF. I consider this fellowship a key step in my career as it allows me to transit from the analysis of site-specific lesions in prokaryotes (previous doctoral fellowship) to eukaryotic cells, gain experience in a wide range of techniques (2D gels, Electron microscopy, ChIP) and build contacts with experts in the field of eukaryotic replication restart. This is necessary for my future independent research and will enable me to set up my lab to study molecular actors and DNA structures during bypass of single lesions in bacteria and eukaryotic cells. The mentoring during the fellowship will provide me with the necessary training to successfully establish myself as an independent investigator. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsDNAnatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsnatural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsmicroscopyelectron microscopymedical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncologynatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsRNA Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2016 - Individual Fellowships Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2016 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF Coordinator THE UNIVERSITY OF SUSSEX Net EU contribution € 183 454,80 Address SUSSEX HOUSE FALMER BN1 9RH Brighton United Kingdom See on map Region South East (England) Surrey, East and West Sussex Brighton and Hove 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 € 183 454,80