Skip to main content
Go to the home page of the European Commission (opens in new window)
English English
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS

Chromatin readout: Dissecting the protein-chromatin interaction code in living cells

Project description

Protein-chromatin interaction in living cells

Chromatin modifications are essential regulators of genome function. They are directly recognised by specialised protein domains leading to coordinated recruitment of regulatory proteins to the genome. The underlying principles determining how chromatin marks influence the genomic proteome composition remain unclear. The ultimate goal of the EU-funded ChromatinLEGO project is to elucidate how protein-genome interactions are guided by specific chromatin modifications. Researchers aim to identify and characterise the genome-wide binding preferences of chromatin reader domains (CRDs) using comparative profiling of multiple protein-genome interactions. They will identify the context-dependent determinants that mediate individual and combinatorial CRD binding to the genome and will utilise the selectivity of CRDs to uncover the local proteome at defined chromatin states in embryonic stem and neuronal cells. Success of the ChromatinLEGO study will advance understanding of the novel components involved in epigenome regulation and organisation.

Objective

Chromatin modifications are key regulators of genome function. They can be directly recognised by specialised protein reader domains, leading to coordinated recruitment of regulatory proteins to the genome in a dynamic, spatiotemporal manner. Despite many efforts to characterise chromatin-mediated protein recruitment, the underlying principles that determine specificity and how chromatin marks influence the proteome composition at genomic sites in living cells, remain unclear. Here I propose to uncover the underlying logic that mediates specificity between regulatory proteins and chromatin states by using a reductionistic approach that enables us to study these interactions in a controlled and comprehensive manner in living cells. Towards this we combine high-throughput stem cell engineering with functional genomics and computational methods to achieve the following aims: First, we aim to identify and characterise the genome-wide binding preferences of a comprehensive panel of chromatin reader domains (CRD) by using a novel strategy for comparative profiling of multiple protein-genome interactions in parallel. Second, we will systematically dissect the context-dependent determinants that mediate individual and combinatorial CRD binding to the genome. Finally, we will utilise the selectivity of CRDs to uncover the local proteome at defined chromatin states in ES and neuronal cells, revealing novel components involved in the regulation and organisation of the epigenome. The overarching goal of ChromatinLEGO is to elucidate in a systematic, quantitative and unified manner, how protein-genome interactions are guided by specific chromatin modifications. Through identifying the chromatin-dependent recruitment principles of regulatory factors, and by dissecting the underlying mechanisms that specify these interactions, this study will provide novel paradigms and important advances to our current understanding of chromatin function in vivo.

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.

You need to log in or register to use this function

Keywords

Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)

Programme(s)

Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.

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.

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.

ERC-COG - Consolidator Grant

See all projects funded under this funding scheme

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) ERC-2019-COG

See all projects funded under this call

Host institution

UNIVERSITEIT UTRECHT
Net EU contribution

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.

€ 1 850 177,84
Address
HEIDELBERGLAAN 8
3584 CS Utrecht
Netherlands

See on map

Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost

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.

€ 1 850 177,84

Beneficiaries (2)

My booklet 0 0