Objective
Research objectives and content
Although mRNA localization is a general mechanism for protein targeting in polarised cells, little is known about the molecular events that underlie this process. The Drosophila oocyte provides an excellent system to study this question, because the localisation of three different mRNAs to distinct positions within this cell determines the two body axes of the embryo. Genetic screens for mutants that disrupt axis formation have identified a number of genes that are required for mRNA localisation. These screens could not recover lethal mutations, however, and therefore missed many important components. I propose to perform a genetic screen that overcomes this problem. Firstly, I will use the newly-developed FRT/FLP system to screen for mutants in germline clones, since this permits the recovery of mutations in lethal genes. Secondly, I shall screen for defects in mRNA localisation directly, by visualising the localisation of these RNAs in living oocytes using fluorescently-labelled Staufen protein. The subsequent molecular analysis of these new genes should give insights into the basic mechanisms of mRNA localisation in many cell-types and organisms, since Staufen is highly conserved during evolution and plays a role in mRNA localisation in neuroblasts as well as the oocyte.
Training content (objective, benefit and expected impact)
The proposed thesis project will give me a wide range of experience in both Drosophila genetics and molecular biology, and will enable me to learn a large number of different techniques. I have chosen to go to the Wellcome/CRC Institute because it is one of the leading Institutes in the field of Developmental Biology in Europe, and Cambridge is a major centre for research on Drosophila. I will be affiliated with the Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, and will also participate in their graduate training program.
Links with industry / industrial relevance (22)
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 developmental biology
- natural sciences biological sciences cell biology cell polarity
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics mutation
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics RNA
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine embryology
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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)
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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.
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 1QR 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.