Janus
Financiado
Cell cycle progression in malaria parasites
All eukaryotic cell multiplication requires well-orchestrated developmental programs and regulatory pathways to guarantee fidelity in transmission of genetic information. Multiplication inside red blood cells of Plasmodium falcipa...
All eukaryotic cell multiplication requires well-orchestrated developmental programs and regulatory pathways to guarantee fidelity in transmission of genetic information. Multiplication inside red blood cells of Plasmodium falciparum, the deadliest malaria parasite, is responsible for malaria pathogenicity. Unlike model organisms, Plasmodium divides in unconventional ways producing not two but up to tens of thousands of daughter cells, in a single cell cycle round. This points to a yet-to-be-explored original and divergent cell cycle architecture where conventional rules likely do not apply.
We hypothesise that a transcriptional clock paces the cell cycle while a network of local players modulates and fine-tunes the activity of effectors through phosphorylation. To test this hypothesis, we will first use single cell transcriptomics and high resolution phospho-proteomics to understand how these are connected with cell cycle events and their contribution to normal progression and controlled cell cycle arrest. Secondly, we will conduct a genome-scale conditional genetic screen to identify cell cycle regulators – we will map progression of pooled barcoded mutants using cell cycle reporters, barseq and single cell transcriptomic readouts. Finally, we will combine the data collected throughout the JANUS project and provide an integrated model of cell cycle progression, checkpoints, their associated transcriptional and signalling events, and their interdependence. Furthermore, we will functionally dissect on a gene-by-gene basis the entrance into the replicative phase based on our modelled data.
Altogether the JANUS project will provide insights into an ancient, yet divergent process, essential for parasite survival and propagation with unprecedented detail. It may reveal innovative eukaryotic adaptations to cell cycle control in this basal lineage which could generate new insights into protist biology and provide new tools in the continuing fight against malaria.
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Duración del proyecto: 69 meses
Fecha Inicio: 2023-09-25
Fecha Fin: 2029-06-30
Fecha Fin: 2029-06-30
Línea de financiación: concedida
El organismo HORIZON EUROPE notifico la concesión del proyecto el día 2023-09-25
Línea de financiación objetivo
El proyecto se financió a través de la siguiente ayuda:
ERC-2023-STG:
ERC STARTING GRANTS
Cerrada
hace 2 años
Presupuesto
El presupuesto total del proyecto asciende a
1M€
Líder del proyecto
CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE...
No se ha especificado una descripción o un objeto social para esta compañía.
Perfil tecnológico
TRL
4-5
Perfil tecnológico
TRL
4-5