Projektbeschreibung
Die Wirkung von epigenetischen Modifikationen über große Entfernungen
Epigenetische Modifikationen sind chemische Kennzeichnungen auf DNA und Chromatin, die sich auf die Zugänglichkeit der DNA und auf die Genexpression auswirken. Sie sind vererbbar, beinhalten aber keine Veränderungen an der eigentlichen DNA-Sequenz. Forschende vom EU-finanzierten Projekt MultiplexGenomics wollen herausfinden, wie epigenetische Modifikationen, die weit von einem Gen entfernt sind, die Expression beeinflussen und einzelne Personen anfälliger für bestimmte Arten von Krebs machen können. Das Team wird eine Plattform für die genetische Profilierung erarbeiten und individuelle Chromosomen physikalisch wie chemisch abbilden. Das Projekt bietet Potenzial, neue Steuerungsnetzwerke und versteckte Langstreckenregulierungen von Genomorten zu finden, was die Genomik als Wissenschaft weiter voranbringt.
Ziel
The genome is composed of the genetic code and a rich repertoire of epigenetic chemical DNA modifications, the Epigenome, with distinct signatures in health and disease. Unmasking the interplay between different genomic features is critical for understanding the operating system of life. Specifically, revealing long-range epigenetic regulation may uncover predisposition to cancer. Nevertheless, due to the short read-length of single-cell next-generation sequencing, there is no method today that can integrate multiple genomic observables, on the same genome and at the same time. The missing picture constitutes a major genomic “blind spot”, obscuring epigenetic regulation of gene expression. This project aims to provide a multiplexed view of the genome never before accessible. I will utilize single-molecule physical and chemical mapping of individual chromosomes to discover long-range epigenetic correlations, focusing on markers for predisposition to breast cancer. I will approach multiplexing by applying optical and electrical sensing concepts to detect chemical tags attached to long genomic DNA molecules. Equipped with a toolbox of biochemical DNA labeling reactions, I will develop a unique spectral imager for simultaneous acquisition of high-content genomic information from DNA stretched in nanochannel arrays. DNA tagging will also be used to enhance electrical contrast for nanopore epigenetic sequencing. Finally, by combining electric sensing inside nanochannels I will develop new integrated devices for electro-optical genomic analysis. Together, these developments cover the full range of genomic length scales and resolution. MultiplexGenomics will establish a groundbreaking experimental framework for genetic/epigenetic profiling of native chromosomal DNA. A successful completion of this project will make possible the discovery of novel control networks and hidden long-range regulation, opening new horizons for basic genomic research and personalized medicine.
Wissenschaftliches Gebiet
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencessoftwaresoftware applicationssystem softwareoperating systems
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsDNA
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticschromosomes
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsgenomes
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsepigenetics
Schlüsselbegriffe
Programm/Programme
Thema/Themen
Finanzierungsplan
ERC-COG - Consolidator GrantGastgebende Einrichtung
69978 Tel Aviv
Israel