SubsidieMeestersThe evolution of cis and trans-regulators in eukaryotes
RegEvol aims to develop and empirically test a new evolutionary theory of gene expression regulation, enhancing understanding of eukaryotic complexity and sex-asex transitions.
Projectdetails
Introduction
Gene regulation plays an essential role in shaping species differences and modulating phenotypes across development and environmental conditions. It essentially works through the recruitment of trans-acting intermediates to cis-acting DNA sequences affecting the expression of the nearby gene.
Importance of Gene Expression Regulation
While gene expression regulation is central in molecular, cellular, developmental, and system biology, its detailed mechanisms have relatively little been incorporated into modern evolutionary theory.
Previous Discoveries
I previously discovered two processes specific to gene expression evolution in diploids:
- Cis-regulator runaway
- Divergence
These processes arise because of:
- Transient dominance modifications that automatically occur following the evolution of cis-acting regulatory elements.
- Coevolution of these cis-acting elements with trans-acting regulators.
Implications of Findings
I have shown that accounting for these processes calls into question a half-century of theory on sex chromosome evolution and may rejuvenate empirical and theoretical work in this field.
Research Goals
Here, I will develop the evolutionary theory of cis- and trans-regulators at full scale and empirically test its core features and predictions.
Potential Advancements
Specifically, there are sound reasons to believe that this new theory also has the potential to strongly advance our understanding of other fundamental and enigmatic features of eukaryotic life.
Significance of the Theory
It may be a crucial missing element to explain:
- The origin of eukaryotic regulatory complexity.
- How and why sex–asex transitions fail or succeed.
- Therefore, why eukaryotic sex is maintained.
Conclusion
RegEvol offers a new and original approach to important problems in evolutionary biology. If successful, it will significantly advance our understanding of eukaryotic life-forms and provide a general framework for gene expression evolution in eukaryotes.
Financiële details & Tijdlijn
Financiële details
| Subsidiebedrag | € 2.499.911 |
| Totale projectbegroting | € 2.499.911 |
Tijdlijn
| Startdatum | 1-1-2024 |
| Einddatum | 31-12-2028 |
| Subsidiejaar | 2024 |
Partners & Locaties
Projectpartners
- CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRSpenvoerder
Land(en)
Vergelijkbare projecten binnen European Research Council
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|---|---|---|---|---|
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MANUNKIND: Determinants and Dynamics of Collaborative Exploitation
This project aims to develop a game theoretic framework to analyze the psychological and strategic dynamics of collaborative exploitation, informing policies to combat modern slavery.
Elucidating the phenotypic convergence of proliferation reduction under growth-induced pressure
The UnderPressure project aims to investigate how mechanical constraints from 3D crowding affect cell proliferation and signaling in various organisms, with potential applications in reducing cancer chemoresistance.
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This project aims to uncover the mechanisms behind Wolbachia's antiviral protection in insects and develop tools for studying symbiont gene function.
The Ethics of Loneliness and Sociability
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Vergelijkbare projecten uit andere regelingen
| Project | Regeling | Bedrag | Jaar | Actie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Deciphering Gene Regulatory Networks governing Mammalian Sex DeterminationThis project aims to unravel the gene regulatory networks of mammalian sex determination using advanced techniques to enhance understanding of gonad development and related disorders. | ERC STG | € 1.651.868 | 2022 | Details |
The impact of 3D regulatory landscapes on the evolution of developmental programsThe 3D-REVOLUTION project aims to explore how changes in 3D regulatory landscapes influence gonadal sex determination and evolutionary gene regulation using advanced genomic techniques. | ERC COG | € 1.998.217 | 2023 | Details |
Designing synthetic regulatory domains to understand gene expressionThis project aims to uncover gene regulation mechanisms by systematically altering and analyzing synthetic gene regulatory domains in mouse stem cells to reveal insights into non-coding genome organization. | ERC STG | € 1.500.000 | 2023 | Details |
Unravelling the eukaryotic post-transcriptional regulatory codeEPIC aims to decipher the eukaryotic gene regulatory code using high-throughput technologies, synthetic biology, and deep learning to enhance understanding and applications in biology and medicine. | ERC SyG | € 9.989.247 | 2024 | Details |
Deciphering Gene Regulatory Networks governing Mammalian Sex Determination
This project aims to unravel the gene regulatory networks of mammalian sex determination using advanced techniques to enhance understanding of gonad development and related disorders.
The impact of 3D regulatory landscapes on the evolution of developmental programs
The 3D-REVOLUTION project aims to explore how changes in 3D regulatory landscapes influence gonadal sex determination and evolutionary gene regulation using advanced genomic techniques.
Designing synthetic regulatory domains to understand gene expression
This project aims to uncover gene regulation mechanisms by systematically altering and analyzing synthetic gene regulatory domains in mouse stem cells to reveal insights into non-coding genome organization.
Unravelling the eukaryotic post-transcriptional regulatory code
EPIC aims to decipher the eukaryotic gene regulatory code using high-throughput technologies, synthetic biology, and deep learning to enhance understanding and applications in biology and medicine.