Project description
Initiation of DNA replication unveiled
DNA replication is vital for cell propagation and is initiated at various sites throughout the genome. The process involves several proteins with precise functions that deliver replication accuracy. Although several studies have shed light on DNA replication initiation in mammalian cells, the process in human cells is incompletely understood. The scope of the EU-funded Human Repl Mech project is to investigate DNA replication initiation and regulation. Researchers will use molecular biology and biochemical techniques to reconstitute human DNA replication in vitro and study the role of helicase, the enzyme responsible for unwinding the DNA double helix. Results will provide unprecedented knowledge in one of life’s most fundamental processes and pave the way towards the design of antiproliferative drugs.
Objective
Eukaryotic DNA replication is mediated by a complex machinery consisting of several dozen proteins that ensures precise duplication of chromosomes in S phase of the cell cycle. The Diffley laboratory recently reconstituted the core Saccharomyces cerevisiae replication machinery in vitro from 19 replication factors containing about 50 individual protein subunits. This system allowed to study mechanisms of yeast MCM loading onto DNA and of yeast CMG replicative helicase activation. In human cells however, the process of replication initiation and its regulation are less well understood. In particular, the firing factors that activate the CMG helicase differ in domain composition and phospho-regulation from the yeast orthologs. Mechanistic studies are required to understand how human DNA replication is initiated and regulated at the molecular level. I will first reconstitute human DNA replication in vitro from completely recombinant components using methodology that I developed during my PhD. I will then use this system to study how the human replicative helicase is activated on the molecular level and how activation is regulated by phosphorylation using biochemistry. I will use cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to study the architecture of complexes involved in replication initiation. The reconstituted human system could in future enable studies on disease mechanisms and could allow screening for antiproliferative small molecule inhibitors.
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 genetics DNA
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics chromosomes
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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-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.
NW1 1AT London
United Kingdom
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.