Functional Epigenetic Modulation of Cardiac Fibroblasts (A02 (P02))

• Subject Area: Cardiology, Angiology
• Term: since 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 422681845

This project studies how fibroblast activity can be modulated by functional epigenetic perturbation of active distal regulatory elements (enhancers). P02 will characterise the epigenome of quiescent and activated fibroblasts to identify enhancer elements involved in their activation. Chromatin interaction analysis will uncover the respective enhancer target genes. P02 will perform CRISPRi single cell screens to assess the regulatory potency of identified enhancers in vitro. Perturbation of selected enhancers will be optimised and tested for their potential to modulate cardiac fibrosis formation in post-MI lesions in vivo. To ensure the translational perspective, conservation of enhancer function will be confirmed in pig and human cardiac fibroblasts.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1425: Heterocellular Nature of Cardiac Lesions: Identities, Interactions, Implications
• Applicant Institution: Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg
• Project Head: Professor Dr. Ralf Gilsbach