Project description
Designing new bacterial targets to combat global antibiotic resistance
Studies on DNA higher-order regulatory features revealed at least two types of enhancers: lead enhancers, in which the presence of genetic variants modulates the activity of entire chromatin domains, and dependent enhancers, in which variants induce minor changes, affecting DNA accessibility but not transcription. Currently, it remains unclear which sequence features are required to establish enhancer hierarchies, and under which circumstances genetic variations result in altered enhancer–promoter interactions and differential gene expression. The EU-funded DisMoBoH project proposes to investigate the molecular mechanisms that link DNA variations to transcription factor binding, chromatin topology and gene expression response, providing data on enhancer hierarchy and sequence-specific transcription factor binding.
Objective
Numerous DNA variants have already been identified that modulate inter-individual molecular traits – most prominently gene expression. However, since finding mechanistic interpretations relating genotype to phenotype has proven challenging, the focus has shifted to higher-order regulatory features, i.e. chromatin accessibility, transcription factor (TF) binding and 3D chromatin interactions. This revealed at least two enhancer types: “lead” enhancers in which the presence of genetic variants modulates the activity of entire chromatin domains, and “dependent” ones in which variants induce subtle changes, affecting DNA accessibility, but not transcription. Although cell type-specific TFs are likely important, it remains unclear which sequence features are required to establish such enhancer hierarchies, and under which circumstances genetic variation results in altered enhancer-promoter contacts and differential gene expression. Here, we propose to investigate the molecular mechanisms that link DNA variation to TF binding, chromatin topology, and gene expression response. We will leverage data on enhancer hierarchy and sequence-specific TF binding to identify the sequence signatures that define “lead” enhancers. The results will guide the design of a synthetic locus that serves as an in vivo platform to systematically vary the building blocks of local transcriptional units: i) DNA sequence – including variations in TF binding site affinity and syntax, ii) molecular interactions between TFs, and iii) chromatin conformation. To validate our findings, we will perform optical reconstruction of chromatin architecture for a select number of DNA variants. By simultaneously perturbing co-dependent features, this proposal will provide novel mechanistic insights into the formation of local transcriptional hubs.
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 mathematics pure mathematics topology
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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.
1015 LAUSANNE
Switzerland
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.