Project description
Following DNA on the move will shed light on its role in avoiding antibiotics
The structure and function of DNA and even the fact that not all DNA codes for proteins is arguably general knowledge by now. It has also been known to scientists for more than 50 years that some DNA sequences can move around in the genome, changing their number or location and often affecting the activity of nearby genes. Some estimates put these mobile DNA elements at nearly half of our genome. Increasing evidence supports a starring role of mobile genetic elements in antibiotic resistance via their ability to move themselves and associated resistance genes to new locations in the same or different DNA molecules in the same cell. However, the mechanisms are largely unknown. The EU-funded mARs project is applying bioinformatics and experimental approaches to shed light on the mechanisms and diversity of mobile DNA-related antimicrobial resistance.
Objective
Antibiotic resistance (AR) is spreading rapidly, leading to the development of highly virulent pathogens and multidrug-resistant superbugs, a major health concern of our era. Mobile DNA elements, transposons and integrons, effectively drive the spread of AR genes in microbial interaction hotspots, such as bacterial communities in humans and natural environments. Yet, our knowledge of their mechanisms remains very sparse. It is unclear how DNA movement occurs on the molecular level and how it is controlled in cells and communities; biochemical and structural data are rare and our view on their diversity and evolution is limited. Here I propose an integrated approach combining bioinformatics, genetics, microbiology, biochemistry, and structural biology to elucidate the mechanisms and diversity of mobile DNA driven resistance spreading. I want to (a) investigate the molecular mechanisms and regulation of AR gene movement in vitro, in model bacteria and in gut bacterial communities; (b) dissect the structure of the underlying molecular machineries to reveal how protein-DNA interplay promotes gene transfer; and (c) characterize the diversity, evolution and functional success of distinct molecular pathways. Mechanistic work will focus on selected mobile elements that confer resistance to last resort drugs and promiscuous gene carriers with high prevalence in health care. Bioinformatic quests will draw on recent (meta)genomic data to chart the clinical significance of molecular insights in situ. By bridging disciplines, I want to provide functionally annotated molecular movies of gene movement and explain how specific molecular strategies evolved to enable broad dissemination of resistance determinants. The insights gained in this research will provide in-depth knowledge on major AR transfer pathways and will have key implications for the development of novel intervention strategies and preventive measures aimed at reducing dissemination of drug resistance in bacteria.
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.
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology genetic engineering gene therapy
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology bacteriology
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics DNA
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy drug resistance antibiotic resistance
- natural sciences biological sciences molecular biology structural biology
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
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.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
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Topic(s)
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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
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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
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2019-COG
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1211 Geneve
Switzerland
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