Project description DEENESFRITPL Novel vectors for cell transgenesis Many biological and biomedical applications require the transfer of exogenous genes inside cells using transfection of DNA vectors. Despite their simplicity to use, these vectors suffer from low integration into the genome, which is a prerequisite for stably transfected cells. The EU-funded APPLIC-ION proposes to develop vectors that incorporate a novel genetic switch for efficient integration into the genome of cultured cells. This system offers a simplified approach for obtaining stably transfected cells without the use of drugs and has the potential to be implemented for the genetic engineering of model organisms. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective Stable integration of exogenous transgenes in the genome of transfected eukaryotic host cells is essential in many biological, biotechnological and biomedical applications. Naked DNA vectors are increasingly applied for this purpose as an alternative to viral particles due to their low cost, easy production and simplicity of use. However, transgenesis with these vectors remains fundamentally hindered by the impossibility to distinguish integrated transgenes from those remaining in episomal form, which causes week-long delays to select stable transfected cells with risks of toxicity or epigenetic drift. We have introduced an efficient strategy to solves these issues, based on a novel genetic switch that conditions DNA transgene expression to incorporation into the host genome. This integration-coupled On (iOn) switch enables direct and accurate identification of integration events following transfection, opening the way to rapid drug-free stable cell transgenesis. Here, we propose to develop universally applicable vectors based on this system enabling simplified one-shot stable transfection of eukaryotic cells with one or multiple transgenes, among others. Our project will set conditions for diffusing a breakthrough technology with strong potential to accelerate genetic engineering in cultured systems and model organisms. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsDNAmedical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologygenetic engineeringnatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsgenomes Keywords transgene stable transgenesis cell line establishment genetic engineering genomic integration Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme Topic(s) ERC-2020-POC - Call for proposals for ERC Proof of Concept Grant Call for proposal ERC-2020-PoC See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-POC - Proof of Concept Grant Host institution INSTITUT NATIONAL DE LA SANTE ET DE LA RECHERCHE MEDICALE Net EU contribution € 150 000,00 Address RUE DE TOLBIAC 101 75654 Paris France See on map Region Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Paris Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost No data Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all INSTITUT NATIONAL DE LA SANTE ET DE LA RECHERCHE MEDICALE France Net EU contribution € 150 000,00 Address RUE DE TOLBIAC 101 75654 Paris See on map Region Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Paris Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost No data