Project description
Genomic architecture in the embryo
Chromatin organisation is central for correct transcriptional activity and other key aspects of cell biology. However, the genomic architecture of totipotent cells in the early embryo remains uncharacterised. The aim of the EU-funded EmbryoPAINT project is to understand if precise genomic rearrangements drive cell fate decisions or if this is a stochastic process. Using 3D super-resolution microscopy and DNA paints, researchers will study the physical structure and architecture of totipotency and pluripotency genes in single stem cells in the whole embryo. Project results will provide important insight into the process of mammalian development.
Objective
The three-dimensional architecture of the genome regulates its fundamental functions such as the transcription or replication of DNA. Thus, chromatin organisation is crucially important for key aspects of cell biology, such as the differentiation of stem cells in the early embryo. While recent studies have shown that the mammalian genome rearranges extensively towards a more ordered state after the first few embryonal divisions, many fundamental questions remain unanswered. For example, it is not known whether totipotent cells have a well-defined genomic architecture or whether this architecture is highly heterogeneous between different cells and embryos. Further, it is unclear if early cell fate decisions are driven by a reproducible coordinated rearrangement of pluripotency-related genes, or if this is stochastic process. These questions could best be tackled by directly assessing the physical genome structure and architecture of pluripotency genes in single stem cells inside the whole embryo. In my project, I will pursue this ambitious aim by exploiting recent breakthroughs in 3D super-resolution microscopy, namely the development of an inverted lattice light-sheet microscope, highly multiplexed oligo-DNA-PAINT, and advanced computational algorithms, to study the physical 3D architecture of the genomic network of totipotency and pluripotency genes. Thus, I will for the first time be able to unravel the structural determinants of the transition from totipotency to the pluripotent and differentiated state during early mammalian development.
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 physical sciences optics microscopy super resolution microscopy
- natural sciences biological sciences cell biology
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology cells technologies stem cells
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine embryology
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics genomes
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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 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)
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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-2018
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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.
69117 Heidelberg
Germany
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.