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

DNA Replication: From Physiology to Replication Stress in Human Cancer

Objective

Replication of the genome is of critical importance for cell proliferation and organismal development. To ensure accurate and complete replication of their genome, eukaryotes have hundreds to thousands of replication origins. In budding yeast, the genomic positions of all the origins are known, as is the order in which they fire. In contrast, in human cells, the mapping of origins is controversial and origin firing may be stochastic and plastic. Furthermore, while normal cells replicate their genomes with high fidelity; in cancer cells, the presence of activated oncogenes leads to collapse of DNA replication forks (DNA replication stress), DNA damage and genomic instability.

My laboratory has recently elucidated key differences in DNA replication after oncogene induction. We mapped replication origins on the human genome and found that, in addition to the origins present before oncogene induction, a new class of “oncogene-induced” origins was observed upon activation of the CCNE1 (Cyclin E) or MYC (c-Myc) genes. Only forks from the oncogene-induced origins were prone to collapse, leading to the genomic instability patterns observed in the common human cancers.

In this proposal, we aim to map with high precision the human replication origins, determine if their firing is stochastic or deterministic and identify sequence motifs that are important for origin firing (Aim 1). We further aim to explore how transcription in the G1 phase of the cell cycle regulates origin firing (Aim 2). This endeavour is motivated by our observation that transcription in G1 inactivates intragenic origins. Finally, we aim to understand how transcription, replication and repair are coordinated to avoid DNA replication stress in normal cells (Aim 3).

The proposed experiments will help us understand how normal cells replicate their genome with high fidelity and how oncogenes interfere with this process.

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-ADG - Advanced 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-ADG

See all projects funded under this call

Host institution

UNIVERSITE DE GENEVE
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.

€ 2 231 378,00
Address
RUE DU GENERAL DUFOUR 24
1211 Geneve
Switzerland

See on map

Region
Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera Région lémanique Genève
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.

€ 2 231 378,00

Beneficiaries (1)

My booklet 0 0