Brainstorming meeting gathering Enhpathy members – Marseille.
List of beneficiaries :
Salvatore Spicuglia (Coordinator), Institut Nationale pour la Santé et la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), France
Alvaro Rada-Iglesias (Vice Coordinator), University of Cantabria (UNICAN), Spain
Meritxell Alberich-Jorda, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the AS CR (IMG), Czech Republic
Robin Andersson, University of Copenhagen (UCPH), Denmark
Bart Deplancke, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland
Jorge Ferrer, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Spain
Wouter de Laat, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), The Netherlands
Susanne Mandrup, University of Southern Denmark (SDU), Denmark
Gioacchino Natoli, European Institute of Oncology (IEO), Italy
Dariusz Plewczynski, University of Warsaw (UoW), Poland
Pelin Sahlén, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Sweden
Judith Zaugg, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Germany
Joris van Arensbergen, Gen-X B.V. (Gen-X), The Netherlands
Julia Sepulveda Diaz, ELVESYS SAS (Elvesys), France
Mileidys Perez Alea, Advances BioDesign (ABD), France
List of partnering organisations :
Christian Thirion (Sirion), Germany
Gonzalo R. Ordóñez (Dreamgenics), Spain
Remi Terranova (Novartis Pharma AG), Switzerland
James B. Meigs, Alisa Manning (TOPMed), United States of America
Thomas Lemberger (GLWF, EMBO Press), Germany
J.C. Fitzsimons (Leadership Sculptor), Germany
Jean M. Grangeon (KOM Agency), France
Jacques van Helden (Institut Français de Bioinformatique)
Alain Arnaudet (La Friche Belle de Mai), France
Jorge Ferrer (UPF, Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Spain
Meritxel Alberich-Jorda (CUNI, Univerzita Karlova, Charles University), Czech Republic
Wouter de Laat (UU, Universiteit Utrecht), Netherlands
ENHPATHY highlighted in the Winter issue of EU Research
Non classéStudying enhancer function to understand human disease
Enhancers play an important role in determining how genes are expressed in different cells in the body. The goal of the ENHPATHY consortium is to identify these enhancers and how they regulate gene expression. Knowledge about enhancer function may eventually lead to new treatments against diseases associated with enhancer dysfunction.
Pitch my Enhancer in art project in 90 seconds
Non classéOn June 15th, our 15 students will face the challenge of presenting their Enhancer in art project to a lay audience. One condition: not to exceed 90 seconds!
Tejeswini Padma Iwan Vaandrager ( https://lnkd.in/evWv3aDe ) Dr Dimple Devadas FRSA Annelie Mollbrink PhD Alyona Buglakova ( https://lnkd.in/ezQEetVy ) Laura K. Holm Alessandro Ventura Kochamon Manprasatkul Anastasia Stankevich ( https://lnkd.in/e86jf7mJ ) Ondrej Mistrik ( https://lnkd.in/egT63x6D ) Minh Hoang ( https://lnkd.in/evyMMdWk ) Zijun Feng ( https://lnkd.in/evv5xdhS ) Ekaterina Onufrienko ( https://lnkd.in/ePa76buV )
Current challenges in understanding the role of enhancers in disease
Non classéEnhancers play a central role in the spatiotemporal control of gene expression and tend to work in a cell-type-specific manner. In addition, they are suggested to be major contributors to phenotypic variation, evolution and disease. There is growing evidence that enhancer dysfunction due to genetic, structural or epigenetic mechanisms contributes to a broad range of human diseases referred to as enhanceropathies. Such mechanisms often underlie the susceptibility to common diseases, but can also play a direct causal role in cancer or Mendelian diseases. Despite the recent gain of insights into enhancer biology and function, we still have a limited ability to predict how enhancer dysfunction impacts gene expression.
In this Perspective review published in the Nature Structural & Molecular Biology journal, the ENHPATHY researchers discuss the major challenges that need to be overcome when studying the role of enhancers in disease etiology and highlight opportunities and directions for future studies, aiming to disentangle the molecular basis of enhanceropathies.
Read more
Chronic inflammation decreases HSC fitness by activating the druggable Jak/Stat3 signaling pathway
Non classéNew publication by Alberich-Jorda M and Sladana Kosanovic in EMBO reports.
Chronic inflammation represents a major threat to human health since long-term systemic inflammation is known to affect distinct tissues and organs. Recently, solid evidence demonstrated that chronic inflammation affects hematopoiesis; however, how chronic inflammation affects hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) on the mechanistic level is poorly understood. Here, we employ a mouse model of chronic multifocal osteomyelitis (CMO) to assess the effects of a spontaneously developed inflammatory condition on HSCs. We demonstrate that hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic compartments in CMO BM contribute to HSC expansion and impair their function. Remarkably, our results suggest that the typical features of murine multifocal osteomyelitis and the HSC phenotype are mechanistically decoupled. We show that the CMO environment imprints a myeloid gene signature and imposes a pro-inflammatory profile on HSCs. We identify IL-6 and the Jak/Stat3 signaling pathway as critical mediators. However, while IL-6 and Stat3 blockage reduce HSC numbers in CMO mice, only inhibition of Stat3 activity significantly rescues their fitness. Our data emphasize the detrimental effects of chronic inflammation on stem cell function, opening new venues for treatment.
Link on the publication
ENHPATHY ESRs visit the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR)
Non classéThe Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR) is the innovation engine of Novartis. NIBR’s Scientists collaborate across scientific and organizational boundaries, with a focus on powerful new technologies that have the potential to help produce therapeutic breakthroughs for patients.
Visit NIBR
Learn more about the visit program
Epromoters: The regulation of gene expression is no longer a binary issue
Non classéIn all mammals, the cellular operation responsible for the maintenance of homeostasis, specifically of all the physiological balances ensuring the vital functions of an organism, is dictated by the reading of information carefully preserved in the genetic heritage or DNA. The expression of a gene that will code for one or more proteins of interest is therefore a strategic step, controlled by the presence on this DNA of regulatory sequences, which in the event of malfunction, can cause the occurrence of serious genetic pathologies, such as inflammation or auto-immune diseases.
Listed in two distinct families according to their locations near or far from the genes that they regulate, researchers speak of promoters or enhancers, respectively. These sequences are scrutinized by the scientific community in an attempt to arrive at a better understanding of the complexity of their modes of action. The latest work from a research team within the TAGC laboratory (Theories and Approaches to Genomic Complexity, Inserm/AMU), led by Dr. Spicuglia and published in the journal Nature Communications have recently shed new light on the role of a particular family of promoters called Epromoter that are involved in gene regulation, but this time, without particular location criteria.
Read more
The EMBO workshop starts today
Non classéThe new EMBO workshop co-organized by Álvaro Rada-Iglesias, Salvatore Spicuglia and Susanne Mandrup and involving 6 Enhpathy’s students starts today. Please find more information about this event on the EMBO Workshop’s website.
About the Workshop
Due to the current COVID-19 emergency this workshop might need to be cancelled depending on national and local recommendations. In order to give both organizers and participants more time before making any decision, the registration and payment deadlines have been extended. In case of cancellation, registration fees will be reimbursed. We also recommend all invited speakers and participants to purchase their flight tickets with a cancellation insurance
Mutations within coding genes have traditionally been considered the major genetic cause of human disease. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that the genetic, structural and/or epigenetic disruption of enhancers represent major etiological factors in numerous human diseases (i.e. enhanceropathies), ranging from rare congenital disorders to common diseases associated with ageing and lifestyle (e.g. cancer, diabetes). Although changes in enhancer activity are predicted to have broad pathological and therapeutic implications, we currently have a limited understanding of human enhanceropathies. This reflects, at least partly, our still primitive and partial understanding of the mechanisms whereby enhancers can control gene expression. To overcome these limitations, this workshop will bring together experts in enhancer biology, gene regulation and medical genetics that, during three days, will present their latest work. Our invited speakers and participants will discuss the multidisciplinary approaches required to investigate enhancer function as well as debate about the role of enhancers in fundamental biological processes (e.g. embryonic development, evolution) and in the etiology of human disorders. Ultimately, the goal of this EMBO Workshop will be to provide a complete view of how a deep and systems-level understanding of enhancer function can facilitate elucidating the molecular basis of human enhanceropathies.
1 PhD position available, join the ENHPATHY Innovative Training Network today!
Non classéOne position is available for a 2-year PhD program funded by the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network (ITN) ENHPATHY.
Candidates with bioinformatics, genomics and/or molecular and cellular biology backgrounds are encouraged to apply. The host lab offers opportunities to extend this period for one or two years to complete a full PhD thesis in the Centre for Genomics Regulation and Universitat Pompeu Fabra.
Application deadline: September 30th
Organization: Centre for genomic regulation
More information on this link
Download the full description
EMBO workshop, October 6-9, 2021 | Santander Spain
Non classéThe new EMBO workshop co-organized by Álvaro Rada-Iglesias, Salvatore Spicuglia and Susanne Mandrup is now open for registration –> register here.
About the Workshop
Due to the current COVID-19 emergency this workshop might need to be cancelled depending on national and local recommendations. In order to give both organizers and participants more time before making any decision, the registration and payment deadlines have been extended. In case of cancellation, registration fees will be reimbursed. We also recommend all invited speakers and participants to purchase their flight tickets with a cancellation insurance
Mutations within coding genes have traditionally been considered the major genetic cause of human disease. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that the genetic, structural and/or epigenetic disruption of enhancers represent major etiological factors in numerous human diseases (i.e. enhanceropathies), ranging from rare congenital disorders to common diseases associated with ageing and lifestyle (e.g. cancer, diabetes). Although changes in enhancer activity are predicted to have broad pathological and therapeutic implications, we currently have a limited understanding of human enhanceropathies. This reflects, at least partly, our still primitive and partial understanding of the mechanisms whereby enhancers can control gene expression. To overcome these limitations, this workshop will bring together experts in enhancer biology, gene regulation and medical genetics that, during three days, will present their latest work. Our invited speakers and participants will discuss the multidisciplinary approaches required to investigate enhancer function as well as debate about the role of enhancers in fundamental biological processes (e.g. embryonic development, evolution) and in the etiology of human disorders. Ultimately, the goal of this EMBO Workshop will be to provide a complete view of how a deep and systems-level understanding of enhancer function can facilitate elucidating the molecular basis of human enhanceropathies.
Kickoff meeting …checked! Enhpathy officially launched its program.
Non classéENHPATHY is a multidisciplinary science consortium created in the frame of the Marie Sklodowska-Curie actions (MSCA)-ITN-ETN European Training Networks call and regrouping 12 academic and 3 non-academic European organisations in the continuum of basic, translational and clinical research on enhancers and associated diseases.
ESR applications to ENHPATHY ‘s training program : all applications should be made using the recruitment form to be published from March 15 to April 16, 2020 (https://www.enhpathy.eu/recruitment/).
Candidates with bioinformatics, genomics and/or molecular and cellular biology backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
The (MSCA)-ITN the Innovative Training Networks program ENHPATHY to be launched on March 01, 2020
Non classéWe are pleased to announce that the EnhPathy ITN H2020 PhD call will open on March 15th 2020. EnhPathy will be recruiting 15 PhD students to start their training program within the September-December 2020 period.
Please check the Nature careers ad on this link
ENHPATHY is a multidisciplinary science consortium created in the frame of the Marie Sklodowska-Curie actions (MSCA)-ITN-ETN European Training Networks call and regrouping 12 academic and 3 non-academic European organisations in the continuum of basic, translational and clinical research on enhancers and associated diseases.
All applications should be made using the recruitment form to be published from March 15 to April 16, 2020 (https://www.enhpathy.eu/recruitment/).
Candidates with bioinformatics, genomics and/or molecular and cellular biology backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Read full press release
EMBO workshop, May 25-28 2020, Santander Spain (Rescheduled)
Non classéThe new EMBO workshop co-organized by Álvaro Rada-Iglesias, Salvatore Spicuglia and Susanne Mandrup is now open for registration –> https://bit.ly/2qoO4yC
About the workshop :
Mutations within coding genes have traditionally been considered the major genetic cause of human disease. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that the genetic, structural and/or epigenetic disruption of enhancers represent major etiological factors in numerous human diseases (i.e. enhanceropathies), ranging from rare congenital disorders to common diseases associated with ageing and lifestyle (e.g. cancer, diabetes). Although changes in enhancer activity are predicted to have broad pathological and therapeutic implications, we currently have a limited understanding of human enhanceropathies. This reflects, at least partly, our still primitive and partial understanding of the mechanisms whereby enhancers can control gene expression. To overcome these limitations, this workshop will bring together experts in enhancer biology, gene regulation and medical genetics that, during three days, will present their latest work. Our invited speakers and participants will discuss the multidisciplinary approaches required to investigate enhancer function as well as debate about the role of enhancers in fundamental biological processes (e.g. embryonic development, evolution) and in the etiology of human disorders. Ultimately, the goal of this EMBO Workshop will be to provide a complete view of how a deep and systems-level understanding of enhancer function can facilitate elucidating the molecular basis of human enhanceropathies.
ENHPATHY 1ST MEETING – NOV 6TH 2018, MARSEILLE FRANCE
Non classéBrainstorming meeting gathering Enhpathy members – Marseille.
List of beneficiaries :
Salvatore Spicuglia (Coordinator), Institut Nationale pour la Santé et la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), France
Alvaro Rada-Iglesias (Vice Coordinator), University of Cantabria (UNICAN), Spain
Meritxell Alberich-Jorda, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the AS CR (IMG), Czech Republic
Robin Andersson, University of Copenhagen (UCPH), Denmark
Bart Deplancke, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland
Jorge Ferrer, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Spain
Wouter de Laat, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), The Netherlands
Susanne Mandrup, University of Southern Denmark (SDU), Denmark
Gioacchino Natoli, European Institute of Oncology (IEO), Italy
Dariusz Plewczynski, University of Warsaw (UoW), Poland
Pelin Sahlén, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Sweden
Judith Zaugg, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Germany
Joris van Arensbergen, Gen-X B.V. (Gen-X), The Netherlands
Julia Sepulveda Diaz, ELVESYS SAS (Elvesys), France
Mileidys Perez Alea, Advances BioDesign (ABD), France
List of partnering organisations :
Christian Thirion (Sirion), Germany
Gonzalo R. Ordóñez (Dreamgenics), Spain
Remi Terranova (Novartis Pharma AG), Switzerland
James B. Meigs, Alisa Manning (TOPMed), United States of America
Thomas Lemberger (GLWF, EMBO Press), Germany
J.C. Fitzsimons (Leadership Sculptor), Germany
Jean M. Grangeon (KOM Agency), France
Jacques van Helden (Institut Français de Bioinformatique)
Alain Arnaudet (La Friche Belle de Mai), France
Jorge Ferrer (UPF, Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Spain
Meritxel Alberich-Jorda (CUNI, Univerzita Karlova, Charles University), Czech Republic
Wouter de Laat (UU, Universiteit Utrecht), Netherlands