Objetivo A fundamental question in biology is to understand the mechanisms underlying cell plasticity. Such plasticity or potency is essential to form multiple cell types upon differentiation. In mammals, upon fertilization and fusion of the gametes –two highly differentiated cells- intense chromatin remodeling and epigenetic reprogramming, the reversion into an undifferentiated state, are essential to restore full developmental potency (totipotency). Subsequent development and differentiation are accompanied with progressive loss of plasticity. The transition between totipotency and the gradual loss of plasticity is thought to be regulated by yet-unknown epigenetic mechanisms.The embryonic chromatin displays unique features compared to differentiated cells, including the lack of ‘conventional’ heterochromatin. We hypothesise that the transition from a totipotent state to a differentiated one is regulated by changes in chromatin states, particularly by de novo acquisition of heterochromatin domains.This project is designed to reveal the nuclear foundations of totipotency by determining the molecular mechanisms underlying the establishment of heterochromatin and their functional role in maintaining totipotency using the mouse embryo as model.We will do this by:i)determining the functional relationship of heterochromatin and nuclear architectureii)by determining the effects of artificially inducing heterochromatin on cell potency during development andiii)by determining the mechanisms that regulate heterochromatin formation in the embryo.We anticipate that our studies will unravel fundamental mechanims on how chromatin states regulate cell potency during reprogramming. By uncovering such mechanisms, we expect to reveal new insights that will be useful to induce epigenetic reprogramming of differentiated cells. Our results will therefore lead to key contributions in the fields of stem cell, developmental biology, human reproduction, chromatin biology and epigenetics. Ámbito científico natural sciencesbiological sciencesdevelopmental biologymedical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologycells technologiesstem cellsnatural sciencesbiological scienceszoologymammalogymedical and health sciencesclinical medicineembryologynatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsepigenetics Programa(s) FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Tema(s) ERC-SG-LS3 - ERC Starting Grant - Cellular and Developmental Biology Convocatoria de propuestas ERC-2011-StG_20101109 Consulte otros proyectos de esta convocatoria Régimen de financiación ERC-SG - ERC Starting Grant Institución de acogida HELMHOLTZ ZENTRUM MUENCHEN DEUTSCHES FORSCHUNGSZENTRUM FUER GESUNDHEIT UND UMWELT GMBH Aportación de la UE € 542 185,62 Dirección INGOLSTADTER LANDSTRASSE 1 85764 Neuherberg Alemania Ver en el mapa Región Bayern Oberbayern München, Landkreis Tipo de actividad Research Organisations Contacto administrativo Jürgen Ertel (Dr.) Investigador principal Maria-Elena Torres-Padilla (Dr.) Enlaces Contactar con la organización Opens in new window Sitio web Opens in new window Coste total Sin datos Beneficiarios (2) Ordenar alfabéticamente Ordenar por aportación de la UE Ampliar todo Contraer todo HELMHOLTZ ZENTRUM MUENCHEN DEUTSCHES FORSCHUNGSZENTRUM FUER GESUNDHEIT UND UMWELT GMBH Alemania Aportación de la UE € 542 185,62 Dirección INGOLSTADTER LANDSTRASSE 1 85764 Neuherberg Ver en el mapa Región Bayern Oberbayern München, Landkreis Tipo de actividad Research Organisations Contacto administrativo Jürgen Ertel (Dr.) Investigador principal Maria-Elena Torres-Padilla (Dr.) Enlaces Contactar con la organización Opens in new window Sitio web Opens in new window Coste total Sin datos CENTRE EUROPEEN DE RECHERCHE EN BIOLOGIE ET MEDECINE La participación finalizó Francia Aportación de la UE € 953 814,38 Dirección Rue Laurent Fries 1 67404 Illkirch Graffenstaden Ver en el mapa Región Grand Est Alsace Bas-Rhin Tipo de actividad Research Organisations Contacto administrativo Steve Brooks (Dr.) Enlaces Contactar con la organización Opens in new window Sitio web Opens in new window Coste total Sin datos
