Objective
Research objectives and content
A conserved cluster of homeotic genes (the HOM-C) patterns animals along the anterior/posterior axis. However, they are not expressed at the anterior and posterior extremities. One gene proposed to have a role in posterior patterning in most animals, possibly in concert with HOM-C genes, is even-skipped. However, neither their posterior function nor any functional interaction with HOM-C genes was known. Recently, it was shown that the C. elegans even-skipped homologue is encoded by vab-7, which functions in posterior muscle and epidermal patterning. Further, vab-7 activity is required for expression of the HOM-C gene, egl-5, in muscle cells.
The purpose of this proposal is to explore interactions between vab-7 and HOM-C genes. This will involve analyzing cell lineages in HOM-C mutant and vab-7/HOM-C double mutant embryos, examining the consequences of ectopic vab-7 expression on HOM-C gene expression, and searching for vab-7 responsive elements in the egl-5 promoter. Because vab-7 has a posterior expression pattern similar to that of even-skipped in other animals, this work may uncover general developmental principles and patterning strategies.
Training content (objective, benefit and expected impact)
During my thesis I studied the origin of osteoclasts (F.one resorbing hemopoetic cells) in chicken. Through this work, I learned general cell biology techniques and gained a good knowledge of vertebrate differentiation. During the course of my research, I became more interested in developmental biology, and decided to work in a model system to study embryonic pattern formation. The present project will give me an opportunity to learn new techniques and apply my previous knowledge to the study of developmental questions, taking advantage of the outstanding experimental possibilities provided by C. elegans. This work will give me a good background in basic C. elegans biology, genetics, lineage analyses, and molecular biology which will be an important basis for future work.
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
- natural sciences biological sciences cell biology
- natural sciences biological sciences developmental biology
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine embryology
- natural sciences biological sciences molecular biology
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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.
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.
Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
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.
Coordinator
CB2 3EH Cambridge
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.