Project description
Molecular insight into specialised genomic structures
Parts of the genome, such as telomeres and gene promoters rich in guanine bases, deviate from the usual double helix conformation. Instead, four guanine bases interact to form G-quadruplexs (G4s), square-shaped structures that fold back into a knot. This stable conformation influences important cellular functions, including gene expression and response to stress. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the SPOTTER project focuses on multimolecular G4s (mG4s) that involve multiple DNA strands. Researchers aim to develop the first selective probe designed to recognise only mG4s. This aptamer-based tool will enable live-cell imaging and genome-wide mapping of mG4s, providing new insights into their functions
Objective
G-quadruplex structures (G4s) are gaining attention due to their widespread presence in the human genome, featuring over 700,000 identified sequences. These stable G4s are often found in critical areas of our DNA, such as telomeres, gene promoters, and regions linked to repeat expansions in diseases.
However, when investigating their biological function, multimolecular G-quadruplexes (mG4s) have been often overlooked and deemed unlikely to be physiologically relevant, with the bulk of recent advances on G4-biology almost exclusively focused on unimolecular G-quadriplexes (uG4s).
SPOTTER aims to fill this critical gap in the biology of mG4, by generating a selective probe that is currently missing to study these structures. Specifically, in this proposal, an aptamer-based probe that can be tuned to interact exclusively with mG4s will be developed.This tool will facilitate live-cell imaging and genome-wide mapping of mG4s for the very first time.
This will further allow me to explore the role of mG4 formed in guanine-rich RNA repeat expansions, which could trigger formation of insoluble aggregates that are relevant to neurodegenerative diseases, such as in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
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 biological sciences genetics RNA
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics genomes
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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.
SW7 2AZ London
United Kingdom
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