Project description
The role of IncRNAs in gene regulation
During embryonic development, genes must be switched on and off at the right time and place to ensure proper growth. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a key role in this process, yet their function in living organisms remains largely unexplored. Most studies rely on lab-based experiments, which do not fully capture how lncRNAs operate in complex biological systems, making their precise role challenging to determine. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the SynLncRNAs project tackles this challenge by investigating the lncRNA Maenli, which regulates a specific gene during mouse embryonic development. The project aims to uncover how Maenli functions, providing new insights into gene regulation with implications for disease research and biotechnology.
Objective
Precise spatiotemporal regulation of gene expression is essential for healthy embryonic development. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) contribute to the regulation of gene expression. However, our current understanding of lncRNAs derives mostly from in vitro studies, with little known about their function in vivo. The core aim of this action is to dissect mechanisms of gene regulation by lncRNAs in vivo. The lncRNA Maenli is a perfect model to gain insight into lncRNA function as it activates a specific target gene in a tissue-specific manner during mouse embryonic development. This enables a quantitative in vivo read-out without compounding genome-wide effects. My hypothesis is that Maenli function is restricted to its 3D chromatin domain where it activates its target gene through transcription-associated processes, and not via the mature lncRNA transcript. To test this, I require methods that enable manipulation of the entire ~25kb locus and site-specific insertion in the genome. I will use cutting-edge synthetic biology to re-construct and manipulate Maenli, insert it in specific genomic regions, and examine its effect on target gene expression and phenotype in the mouse embryo. I will use low-input CUT&RUN to assess the functional chromatin state associated with Maenli. This interdisciplinary approach will go beyond the state of the art to illuminate specific mechanisms of cis-acting lncRNA function in vivo. This has not been possible until now due to technical limitations in conventional gene editing and challenges associated with studying lncRNAs in vivo. I anticipate that SynLncRNAs will set a new standard to study lncRNA function in vivo; impacting fundamental, disease and evolutionary research on gene regulation, as well as society and education. With expertise in the non-coding genome and in vivo synthetic biology, the Mundlos laboratory is the perfect environment for me to execute this action and train to become an independent group leader in the future.
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.
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology genetic engineering gene therapy
- natural sciences biological sciences synthetic biology
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
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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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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.
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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01
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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.
80539 MUNCHEN
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.