Project Details
Projekt
GRK 1431: Transcription, Chromatin Structure and DNA Repair in Development and Differentiation
Subject Area
Basic Research in Biology and Medicine
Term
from 2006 to 2015
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 20292752
Cells receive diverse signals from their environment. As a reaction towards these signals, cells adapt their gene expression programme in order to provide an adequate answer to these stimuli, which result in changes in development, differentiation, proliferation or in cell death. In molecular terms, this often means that alterations are made to the packaging of the genetic material (epigenetic reprogramming) so that gene expression changes.
The focal point of our programme is to understand how the genetic information (DNA) in the nucleus is packaged into chromatin and how this packaging changes in response to external stimuli so that the information can be read (transcription) and repaired. We will investigate the molecular mechanisms of the reprogramming and the consequences for development. Three areas of priority will be investigated under thematic and conceptual aspects, transcriptional control, chromatin structure and DNA repair.
One emphasis of our Research Training Group will be the examination of the access of DNA to transcription and repair factors in the context of chromatin using biochemical and structural methodology. Furthermore, in a molecular biological emphasis, we will examine how differences in gene expression are established and maintained, which changes in the chromatin accompany them and how chromatin states are transmitted after doubling the DNA and cell division. The main developmental emphasis will be on how changes to the structure of chromatin through tissue-specific transcription factors are achieved and how they influence the development of organs or whole organisms.
Taken together, the themes to be worked upon in the frame of this Research Training Group reflect the use of a large variety of biochemical, structure biological, molecular biological and cell biological methods. The model organisms used here range from unicellular organisms through to cell culture systems and transgenic animal models in mice and xenopodes up to in ovo manipulation in chicken. This spectrum of methods and model organisms will allow the graduates of this Research Training Group to obtain a well-founded methodological and thematic training.
The focal point of our programme is to understand how the genetic information (DNA) in the nucleus is packaged into chromatin and how this packaging changes in response to external stimuli so that the information can be read (transcription) and repaired. We will investigate the molecular mechanisms of the reprogramming and the consequences for development. Three areas of priority will be investigated under thematic and conceptual aspects, transcriptional control, chromatin structure and DNA repair.
One emphasis of our Research Training Group will be the examination of the access of DNA to transcription and repair factors in the context of chromatin using biochemical and structural methodology. Furthermore, in a molecular biological emphasis, we will examine how differences in gene expression are established and maintained, which changes in the chromatin accompany them and how chromatin states are transmitted after doubling the DNA and cell division. The main developmental emphasis will be on how changes to the structure of chromatin through tissue-specific transcription factors are achieved and how they influence the development of organs or whole organisms.
Taken together, the themes to be worked upon in the frame of this Research Training Group reflect the use of a large variety of biochemical, structure biological, molecular biological and cell biological methods. The model organisms used here range from unicellular organisms through to cell culture systems and transgenic animal models in mice and xenopodes up to in ovo manipulation in chicken. This spectrum of methods and model organisms will allow the graduates of this Research Training Group to obtain a well-founded methodological and thematic training.
DFG Programme
Research Training Groups
Applicant Institution
Universität Duisburg-Essen
Participating Researchers
Professor Dr. Peter Bayer; Professor Dr. Jan Buer; Professor Dr. Michael Ehrmann; Professor Dr. Joachim Fandrey; Professor Dr. Bernhard Horsthemke; Professor Dr. George Iliakis; Professor Dr. Ralf Küppers; Professorin Perihan Nalbant, Ph.D.; Professorin Dr. Bettina Siebers; Privatdozent Dr. Jürgen Thomale; Professorin Dr. Andrea Vortkamp
Spokesperson
Professor Dr. Hemmo Meyer
