Objective
The transcription factor Myc plays a central role in tumourigenesis but was deemed undruggable due to it being an essential protein. However, recent proof-of-principle studies in mice using a dominant negative allele of Myc demonstrated the dependency of established tumours on Myc function and showed that mice tolerated Myc inhibition to a degree that allowed tumour regression. In line with these observations my group found Myc to regulate distinct sets of genes at low, physiological and high, oncogenic levels, because promoters differ in their affinity for Myc. This notion implies the compelling possibility to specifically target the oncogenic functions of Myc.
TarMyc aims to address four key questions required to bring this new concept from bench to bedside. Firstly, TarMyc will estimate the therapeutic window of Myc inhibition in vivo by expressing shRNAs against Myc in mice with established solid tumours. Secondly, TarMyc aims to identify in vivo Myc target genes crucial for tumourigenesis. Thirdly, this proposal aims to elucidate the role of Myc’s differential promoter affinity in untransformed cells. Analysis of published gene expression datasets revealed Myc binding to low-affinity promoters during the process of tissue regeneration. Thus, by characterizing the regeneration programme induced by Myc we hope to gain further insight on the therapeutic window of Myc inhibition and assess potential side-effects in a Myc-targeting anticancer therapy. Fourthly, we aim to develop strategies to interfere with the oncogenic functions of Myc by (i) developing a novel class of drugs that reduce Myc’s cellular concentrations, and (ii) by testing the therapeutic potential of Myc target genes by inhibiting their function in tumour models.
Taken together, TarMyc takes on the challenge of inhibiting the oncogenic functions of Myc in a highly multidisciplinary approach using state-of-the-art molecular biology, advanced tumour models and new concepts in drug development.
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: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy drug discovery
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- natural sciences biological sciences molecular biology
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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)
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.
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-STG - Starting 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-2017-STG
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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.
97070 Wuerzburg
Germany
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.