Project description DEENESFRITPL Songbirds are singing a different tune when it comes to their germline cells In multicellular organisms that reproduce sexually, cells are broadly classified as somatic or germline, the latter forming gametes (the egg and sperm). Most animals, humans included, have the same chromosomes in all their cells, although most cells have two copies and gametes one. However, songbirds are a mysterious exception. Their germline cells have an extra chromosome, the so-called germline-restricted chromosome (GRC), which is not present in somatic cells. This opens the door to interesting possibilities related to germline-specific gene expression, yet very little is known about the GRC. The EU-funded birdGRC project is using high-tech methods to identify the most 'ancient' - and therefore likely the most important - genes on the GRC and investigate their role in development and evolution of the most species-rich group of birds. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective Metazoans typically keep the same genetic information in all body cells over their life cycle. However, some organisms show exceptions to this rule through programmed DNA elimination from the somatic cell line, as it is the case of the puzzling germline-restricted chromosome (GRC) in songbirds. Recently, it has been demonstrated that the GRC is likely present in over half of all bird species and that the zebra finch GRC is enriched in developmental genes. The latter constitutes a novel mechanism for germline-specific gene expression in multicellular organisms, which is of significant relevance to fields as genomics, developmental biology, ecology or even cancer research. However, it remains mysterious how the GRC affects differential gene expression between tissues, the genomic divergence between species, and the determination of cell fate between germline and soma. To elucidate this, we will first perform multiplatform sequencing and high-quality assembly of the GRC in the zebra finch. Then, by comparing somatic and germline genomes from many bird species to infer the evolutionary trajectories of the GRC, we will determine its most ancient and, therefore, important genes. Finally, we will perform a functional analysis to elucidate the role of these genes in primordial germ cells and the early transmission in embryos. Recent technological advances in sequencing, bioinformatics and developmental biology provide us now with a unique moment to perform the proposed multi-omics analyses. Successful and high-quality implementation will be ensured by the extensive experience of the fellow in cytogenetics and genomics of supernumerary chromosomes as well as in developmental biology in zebrafish. In addition, the host lab is expert in cutting-edge multiplatform genomics techniques and has a multidisciplinary network of collaborators, and the secondment partner is expert in experimental biology with zebra finch embryos and primordial germ cell cultures. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological scienceszoologyornithologynatural sciencesbiological sciencesdevelopmental biologynatural sciencesmathematicspure mathematicsmathematical analysisfunctional analysisnatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticschromosomesmedical and health sciencesclinical medicineembryology Keywords Programmed DNA elimination Zebra finch Germline-restricted chromosome Cytogenomics Single-molecule sequencing Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2019 - Individual Fellowships Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2019 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF) Coordinator UNIVERSITY OF EAST ANGLIA Net EU contribution € 203 852,16 Address EARLHAM ROAD NR4 7TJ Norwich United Kingdom See on map Region East of England East Anglia Norwich and East Norfolk Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 203 852,79 Participants (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all UPPSALA UNIVERSITET Participation ended Sweden Net EU contribution € 0,00 Address VON KRAEMERS ALLE 4 751 05 Uppsala See on map Region Östra Sverige Östra Mellansverige Uppsala län Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost No data
