Project description
Mapping telomere architecture to reveal cancer vulnerabilities
Every human chromosome is capped by a protective structure called a telomere, maintained by a dedicated protein complex (shelterin). How this complex simultaneously shields chromosome ends from damage while allowing access for replication remains a key unsolved question in cancer biology – its dysregulation is a hallmark of tumour development. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the TeloScope project aims to answer this by building the first detailed multi-scale model of telomere organisation in intact human cancer cells. Combining cutting-edge super-resolution microscopy with cryo-electron tomography, the resulting structural atlas could expose previously hidden cancer vulnerabilities and open new avenues for therapeutic intervention, directly supporting Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan.
Objective
Telomeres safeguard chromosome ends and are essential for genome stability and human health. Telomere maintenance is orchestrated by the shelterin complex, which protects telomeres from DNA damage responses while regulating telomerase access. However, how shelterin balances these dual functions through its distribution along telomeric chromatin remains unknown – a critical gap in telomere biology and cancer research, since dysregulation of telomere maintenance drives tumorigenesis. TeloScope will generate the first multiscale structural model of telomeres in intact human cancer cells. Building on my recently developed cell lines with endogenously HaloTagged shelterin proteins, I will combine super-resolution microscopy to map shelterin distribution along telomeric chromatin with nanoscale precision and cellular cryo-electron tomography to resolve shelterin-bound telomeric chromatin ultrastructure. This unique strategy will reveal how shelterin coordinates telomere protection and elongation, uncovering telomere-specific vulnerabilities exploitable for first-in-class cancer therapeutics and providing a transferable framework to study chromatin-associated protein complexes in their native context. Therefore, TeloScope directly supports the EU Health Cluster, Mission on Cancer, and Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, and reinforces Europe’s mission-driven research agenda. Hosted at Masaryk University in the lab of Prof. Jiří Fajkus laboratory, a world-leading expert in telomere biology and chromatin structure, I will gain advanced training in quantitative imaging, structural biology, and career development. A secondment in Dr. Kelly Nguyen lab (MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, UK) will provide complementary expertise in cryo-electron tomography of telomeres and expand my international network. Together, this interdisciplinary training and collaboration will position me to launch an independent research program in Europe and advance telomere-targeted cancer innovation.
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 physical sciences optics microscopy super resolution microscopy
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy electron microscopy
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
- natural sciences biological sciences molecular biology structural biology
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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)
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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.
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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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(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
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601 77 Brno
Czechia
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