Project description
Songbirds are singing a different tune when it comes to their germline cells
In multicellular organisms that reproduce sexually, cells are broadly classified as somatic or germline, the latter forming gametes (the egg and sperm). Most animals, humans included, have the same chromosomes in all their cells, although most cells have two copies and gametes one. However, songbirds are a mysterious exception. Their germline cells have an extra chromosome, the so-called germline-restricted chromosome (GRC), which is not present in somatic cells. This opens the door to interesting possibilities related to germline-specific gene expression, yet very little is known about the GRC. The EU-funded birdGRC project is using high-tech methods to identify the most 'ancient' - and therefore likely the most important - genes on the GRC and investigate their role in development and evolution of the most species-rich group of birds.
Objective
Metazoans typically keep the same genetic information in all body cells over their life cycle. However, some organisms show exceptions to this rule through programmed DNA elimination from the somatic cell line, as it is the case of the puzzling germline-restricted chromosome (GRC) in songbirds. Recently, it has been demonstrated that the GRC is likely present in over half of all bird species and that the zebra finch GRC is enriched in developmental genes. The latter constitutes a novel mechanism for germline-specific gene expression in multicellular organisms, which is of significant relevance to fields as genomics, developmental biology, ecology or even cancer research. However, it remains mysterious how the GRC affects differential gene expression between tissues, the genomic divergence between species, and the determination of cell fate between germline and soma. To elucidate this, we will first perform multiplatform sequencing and high-quality assembly of the GRC in the zebra finch. Then, by comparing somatic and germline genomes from many bird species to infer the evolutionary trajectories of the GRC, we will determine its most ancient and, therefore, important genes. Finally, we will perform a functional analysis to elucidate the role of these genes in primordial germ cells and the early transmission in embryos. Recent technological advances in sequencing, bioinformatics and developmental biology provide us now with a unique moment to perform the proposed multi-omics analyses. Successful and high-quality implementation will be ensured by the extensive experience of the fellow in cytogenetics and genomics of supernumerary chromosomes as well as in developmental biology in zebrafish. In addition, the host lab is expert in cutting-edge multiplatform genomics techniques and has a multidisciplinary network of collaborators, and the secondment partner is expert in experimental biology with zebra finch embryos and primordial germ cell cultures.
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 zoology ornithology
- natural sciences biological sciences developmental biology
- natural sciences mathematics pure mathematics mathematical analysis functional analysis
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics chromosomes
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics genomes
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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.1.3. - 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-2019
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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.
NR4 7TJ NORWICH
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.