Project description
Role of epigenetic mutations in pancreatic cancer
Chromatin is a macromolecule that consists of DNA wrapped around histone proteins, enabling transcription factors, signalling pathways and mechanical stimulations to regulate gene expression. Epigenetic mechanisms that alter phenotypes without modifying the DNA sequence allow reversible changes in gene regulation. These aberrations in chromatin regulation are associated with a wide range of diseases, including cancer. The EU-funded MultiPan project aims to study epigenetic mutations in pancreatic cancer, a deadly disease with a poor prognosis projected to become the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the next decade. This project will provide a comprehensive investigation of the epigenetic lesions occurring during cancer development and the mechanisms of underlying gene deregulation.
Objective
Chromatin, the complex structured macromolecule consisting of DNA wrapped around histones, represents the ground where transcription factors, signalling pathways and mechanical stimulations converge to regulate gene expression and determine cellular phenotypes. Epigenetic mechanisms altering these phenotypes without modifying the DNA sequence are extremely pliable and allow for subtle and reversible changes in gene regulation. Consequently, aberrations in chromatin regulation are associated with a wide range of diseases, such as cancer, where they can be pivotal for the fitness and activity of malignant cells.
Here we aim to investigate the role played by epigenetic mutations in pancreatic cancer, a dismal disease with poor prognosis and projected to be the second most common cause of cancer-related death in the next decade. The candidate will apply cutting-edge technologies such as parallel single-cell RNA-seq and single-nucleus ATAC-seq to uncover the correlation between changes in chromatin accessibility and gene expression in patient-derived and engineered 3D organoid models. These findings will constitute the basis for functional validations that will involve the combination of epigenomic tools (dCas9-mediated epigenetic modifications) and high-resolution imaging approaches (light-sheet microscopy). Therefore, this project will provide a comprehensive view of the epigenetic lesions occurring during cancer development, shedding light on mechanisms of gene de-regulation and paving the way to novel approaches to cancer treatment.
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 physical sciences optics microscopy
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics mutation
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology pancreatic cancer
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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.
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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-EF-ST - Standard EF
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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-2018
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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.
10117 Berlin
Germany
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.