The Marie Curie Research Training Network Chromatin Plasticity aims to reveal
novel mechanisms in the regulation of chromatin structure and to prepare the next generation of European scientists to the highest standards.
Our overall scientific objective is to understand chromatin plasticity. Specifically, we
will study chromatin modifications, nuclear architecture, cell-fate decisions, targeted
recombination, centromere function, non-coding siRNA/miRNA transcripts in mammalian epigenetics,
alternative splicing and chromatin structure, and a histone variant that binds NAD metabolites.
The complexity and novelty of the underlying molecular events, combined with rapid
specialization in the field, call for a collaborative endeavor using complementary
in vitro and in vivo approaches. Our innovative and interdisciplinary network will
integrate distinct approaches (structural biology, biophysics, mouse genetics, cell biology,
immunology, molecular biology, high-resolution microscopy and bioinformatics) to examine
fundamental epigenetic processes and their links to human disease and therapy.
The Chromatin Plasticity network will examine these mechanisms in mammalian chromatin
and disease, focusing on six areas of research:
Role of non-coding RNAs in mammalian heterochromatin
Regulation of human chromatin by metabolites
Chromatin regulation during lymphoid development
Epigenetic control of lineage decisions by transcriptional regulators
Development of ChIP-on-Chip data analysis tools and best practice
Novel tools and therapies for the epigenetic regulation of human disease
In addition to our specific scientific goals, we will implement a comprehensive plan for
scientific and career development through collaborative exchanges, training visits, by sharing
and joint development of expertise, tools and reagents, and through focused scientific workshops
and career development meetings. In doing so, the network will provide wide-ranging opportunities
contributing to the development of the next generation of European researchers and life science employees.
