Skip to main content
Go to the home page of the European Commission (opens in new window)
English en
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS

Spliceosomal Processes in Nucleomorphs

Project description

Nucleomorph use in gene expression in situ

Nucleomorphs are compact and accessible, making them ideal for efficient in situ studies without the need for complex sample preparation. These tiny structures have the potential to revolutionise our understanding of eukaryotic genome evolution and nuclear processes. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the SPiN project will leverage the unique features of nucleomorphs to explore nuclear architecture and gene expression in situ. Using cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) techniques, including tomography and single-particle analysis, the project will investigate pre-mRNA splicing in the context of genome reduction. By establishing nucleomorphs as effective model systems for in situ research, SPiN sheds light on nuclear organisation and splicing, with far-reaching implications for evolutionary biology, cell biology, and biotechnology.

Objective

"The ""Splicing Processes in Nucleomorphs"" (SPiN) project leverages the unique properties of nucleomorphs to explore in situ the nuclear architecture and gene expression at an unprecedented level.

Using cutting-edge cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) techniques such as tomography, subtomogram averaging and single particle analysis, I want to provide novel understanding of how pre-mRNA splicing happens in the context of genome reduction. I will overcome the limitations of current cryo-ET studies of the nucleus that struggle with the large size and dense environment of typical eukaryotic nuclei. Nucleomorphs, with their small size, enable a more accessible and efficient approach to in situ studies, bypassing the need for complex sample preparation steps.

The SPiN project is structured around three specific aims: (1) isolating intact nucleomorphs for comprehensive proteomics and transcriptomics and structural analysis, (2) purifying and structurally characterizing spliceosome complexes unique to nucleomorphs, and (3) visualizing the structural landscape of nucleomorphs to understand the spatial organization of gene expression targeting spliceosome structures for in situ structural determination.

By establishing nucleomorphs as a powerful model for in situ studies, this project promises to uncover new insights into pre-mRNA splicing mechanisms and nuclear organization, with far-reaching implications across evolutionary biology, cell biology, and biotechnology. The potential for groundbreaking discoveries positions nucleomorphs as a transformative tool to advance our understanding of eukaryotic genome evolution and the mechanisms underlying nuclear processes."

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

See all projects funded under this funding scheme

Call for proposal

(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01

See all projects funded under this call

Coordinator

EUROPEAN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY LABORATORY
Net EU contribution
€ 242 260,56
Address
Meyerhofstrasse 1
69117 Heidelberg
Germany
Region
Baden-Württemberg Karlsruhe Heidelberg, Stadtkreis
Activity type
Research Organisations
Links
Total cost
No data