Skip to main content
Go to the home page of the European Commission (opens in new window)
English English
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS

A systems biology approach to investigate cell fate switches in intestinal organoids

Objective

Mass spectrometry-based proteomics and next generation DNA sequencing emerged as two powerful and complementary technologies in biology. I was the first to integrate these technologies in the area of epigenetics to identify and functionally characterize proteins that interact with post-translational modifications on histones and (hydroxy)methylated DNA (so-called chromatin ‘readers’). My pioneering work revealed that an intricate networks of transcription factors, chromatin modifications and chromatin readers orchestrate dynamic gene expression programs during embryonic stem cell differentiation. The next big challenge is to understand the molecular mechanisms, which help to control maintenance and differentiation of adult stem cells as an integral part of an organ. Intestinal organoid cultures recently emerged as a paradigm to study adult stem cell maintenance and differentiation. These ‘miniguts’ can be cultured in vitro and contain all the different cell types that are present in the mouse small intestinal epithelium. Recently it was shown that small-molecule driven perturbations can be used to obtain organoids which are strongly enriched for specific intestinal cell types. This system thus provides a perfect opportunity to study for the first time and in a controlled manner, adult stem cell maintenance and (de)differentiation. Using small molecule-driven perturbations and a unique combination of ‘omics’ technologies, which are embedded in my department, I will provide a systems-wide view of the molecular (epigenetic) mechanisms that orchestrate cell fate changes in intestinal organoids. This integrative approach will identify the major regulatory networks that define the remarkable cellular plasticity of the mouse small intestinal epithelium. Beyond this basic scientific goal, our work will also have profound implications for cancer research and regenerative medicine, both of which are characterized by changes in adult stem cell homeostasis.

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.

You need to log in or register to use this function

Keywords

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.

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.

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.

ERC-COG - Consolidator Grant

See all projects funded under this funding scheme

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) ERC-2017-COG

See all projects funded under this call

Host institution

STICHTING RADBOUD UNIVERSITEIT
Net EU contribution

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.

€ 2 000 000,00
Address
HOUTLAAN 4
6525 XZ Nijmegen
Netherlands

See on map

Region
Oost-Nederland Gelderland Arnhem/Nijmegen
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost

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.

€ 2 000 000,00

Beneficiaries (1)

My booklet 0 0