DUALgRENP | A DUAL gRNA system for functional assessment of ENhancers in Pluripotency

Summary
Enhancers are cis-regulatory genomic regions that can modulate gene expression in a cell type-specific and time-controlled manner to regulate cellular behaviour. ChIP-seq and RNA-seq technologies have allowed genome-wide identification of potential enhancers based on the correlation among specific chromatin marks, transcription factor biding sites and gene expression. However, strategies to validate their function are still limited. Recently, it has been demonstrated that the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology can be used to delete large genomic regions at high frequency by co-transfection of two guide RNAs (gRNAs) targeting collinear genomic sites and subsequent NHEJ-mediated repair. Nevertheless, this system is limited to individual tests. Here we aim to generate a novel lentiviral dual-gRNA expression system that enables large scale functional enhancer screening. The candidate will apply this dual-gRNA expression system to generate custom libraries that will allow the functional identification and subsequent validation of essential enhancers for the maintenance of mouse Embryonic Stem (mES) cell identity. This technology will provide a comprehensive view of the function of enhancers within their genomic context and will enable for the first time the performance of systematic, genetic forward enhancer screens.
Unfold all
/
Fold all
More information & hyperlinks
Web resources: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/661656
Start date: 01-01-2016
End date: 31-12-2017
Total budget - Public funding: 183 454,80 Euro - 183 454,00 Euro
Cordis data

Original description

Enhancers are cis-regulatory genomic regions that can modulate gene expression in a cell type-specific and time-controlled manner to regulate cellular behaviour. ChIP-seq and RNA-seq technologies have allowed genome-wide identification of potential enhancers based on the correlation among specific chromatin marks, transcription factor biding sites and gene expression. However, strategies to validate their function are still limited. Recently, it has been demonstrated that the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology can be used to delete large genomic regions at high frequency by co-transfection of two guide RNAs (gRNAs) targeting collinear genomic sites and subsequent NHEJ-mediated repair. Nevertheless, this system is limited to individual tests. Here we aim to generate a novel lentiviral dual-gRNA expression system that enables large scale functional enhancer screening. The candidate will apply this dual-gRNA expression system to generate custom libraries that will allow the functional identification and subsequent validation of essential enhancers for the maintenance of mouse Embryonic Stem (mES) cell identity. This technology will provide a comprehensive view of the function of enhancers within their genomic context and will enable for the first time the performance of systematic, genetic forward enhancer screens.

Status

CLOSED

Call topic

MSCA-IF-2014-EF

Update Date

28-04-2024
Images
No images available.
Geographical location(s)
Structured mapping
Unfold all
/
Fold all
Horizon 2020
H2020-EU.1. EXCELLENT SCIENCE
H2020-EU.1.3. EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
H2020-EU.1.3.2. Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
H2020-MSCA-IF-2014
MSCA-IF-2014-EF Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-EF)