Objective
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are abundant in mammalian transcriptomes. However, it remains unclear how many of them are functional, and how their functions are performed. LncRNAs seem to be poorly conserved at the sequence level, but some of them share conserved structural elements and are present at syntenic genomic positions in different species. A recent study revealed that secondary structure constrains sequence variation in lncRNAs, so that polymorphisms are depleted in low accessibility regions and tend to be neutral with respect to structural stability. This is in contrast with previous analyses that dismissed relationships between structure and sequence evolution in lncRNAs. A crucial difference in the former study is that the considered structural feature, accessibility, is computed from an ensemble of thermodynamically stable structures. Moreover, high-throughput structure probing shows that many lncRNA sites exhibit positive signals for both single- and double-strand specific enzymes, suggesting several structures may coexist.
Based on this, I argue that the difficulty of identifying links between sequence and structure in lncRNAs results in part from limitations imposed by assuming a single, stable structure. I thus propose to consider ensembles of co-existing structures in lncRNAs, and develop a new computational framework that enables this. Using this new paradigm, I will study lncRNAs from animals and fungi by coupling experimental data from RNA structure probing to novel computational approaches that overcome current limitations.
Overall, this novel multidisciplinary approach will profoundly impact our understanding of the evolution of lncRNAs. Furthermore, my project should help to fill the gap between structure and function of lncRNAs in different species. Moreover, as many lncRNAs are involved in a variety of human diseases, these results may provide insights towards novel clinical applications.
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.
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology mycology
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics RNA
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins enzymes
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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.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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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.
MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF
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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) H2020-MSCA-IF-2017
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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.
08034 BARCELONA
Spain
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.