The aDDRess ITN is based upon a well-structured research and training program that aims to elucidate the functional role of Chromatin dynamics and the DNA Damage Response mechanisms in cellular homeostasis with important ramifications for developmental and age-related disorders. The key research objectives, are organized into three highly interrelated research Work Packages 4-6 ranging from basic molecular mechanisms and ‘omics’ level understanding to translational research and clinical applications. The thematic priority of the Action, the wide spectrum of the scientific questions addressed and the international profile of the academic and non-academic participants involved provide an excellent opportunity for high-level training of young researchers to acquire broad skills in the field of genome maintenance, chromatin metabolism and associated diseases, including cancer.
aDDRess fulfils the European policy objective for major future leaps in translational research and high-throughput technologies, benefiting from the talents of scientists with appropriate, state-of-the-art expertise. aDDRess has the potential to establish world leadership in the field, mainly due to the competitive edge provided by EU support for intensive collaboration of a critical mass of researchers from different disciplines. This integrated approach neutralizes the problem of fragmentation of expertise in Europe translating the potential success in scientific achievements and of flourishing highly-qualified young scientists, into tangible benefits for European resources (infrastructure-facilities, instruments, trained personnel and training programs).
The successful outcomes of both research and training dimensions of aDDRess enhance the competitiveness of the participating labs by increasing the number of researchers that will be interested to join them even beyond the lifetime of aDDRess and of Europe in general through the generation of highly trained young researchers and through the diffusion/exploitation of proprietary knowledge.
The aDDRess ESRs gain strong background in genetics, molecular and cellular biology, “omics” approaches and bioinformatics on a wide range of genetic model systems. The non-academic Participants train ESRs in cutting-edge methodologies, such as high-throughput screening, sequencing, ChIP-, bioinformatics- and proteomics-based approaches and in transferable skills.
