Progetto ZF-HEALTH
- 7 Framework Programme - Cooperation
- ZF-HEALTH - Zebrafish Regulomics for Human Health
- Large-scale functional genomics effort in multi–cellular organisms to elucidate the function of human genes products
In recent years, the zebrafish has emerged as a new vertebrate model organism for biomedical research which offers a unique combination of traits: a short generation time, small size and efficient breeding procedures make it the best choice among vertebrates for forward genetic screening and small-molecule screens, including toxicology, while the transparent embryo and larva offers unique opportunities for imaging of cell movement and gene expression in a developing organism. Building on recent advances in the zebrafish field, we will conduct high-throughput phenotyping of at least a thousand regulatory genes relevant for common human diseases, by behavioural assays (for viable mutants), 3D / 4D imaging and expression profiling (including high-throughput sequencing). We will include mutants generated by TILLING and by the new zinc finger nuclease method, as well as mutants from earlier forward-genetics screens. A phenotyping effort of this scale has never been undertaken before in any vertebrate organism. Complementing the study of mutants relevant for neurological disorders, we will produce an atlas of gene expression in the brain, the most comprehensive one in a vertebrate. We will further perform a genome-wide characterization of regulatory elements of potential disease genes by a combination of bioinformatics and transgenics. Small-molecule screening for mutant rescue or disease-relevant processes will identify candidate drugs and provide insights into gene function. Our increasing knowledge on the regulators and their interactions with regulatory targets will be integrated with knowledge at cellular and organismic level.
By capitalizing on the virtues of the zebrafish system, this systems biology approach to the regulome will gain unique knowledge complementing ongoing work in mammalian systems, and provide important new stimuli for biomedical research.
Role
- Prof. Francesco Argenton - partner - scientific responsible for UNIPDBIO ( Unità di ricerca: Genetica molecolare applicata )
e-mail: francesco.argenton@unipd.it
Partnership
1 | KARLSRUHER INSTITUT FUER TECHNOLOGIE KIT | Germany - coordinator |
2 | ALBERT-LUDWIGS-UNIVERSITAET FREIBURG ALU-FR | D |
3 | CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS | FR |
4 | GENOME RESEARCH LIMITED GRL United Kingdom | UK |
5 | KONINKLIJKE NEDERLANDSE AKADEMIE VAN WETENSCHAPPEN - KNAW KNAW | NL |
6 | INSTITUT NATIONAL DE LA SANTE ET DE LA RECHERCHE MEDICALE (INSERM) INSERM | FR |
7 | KING'S COLLEGE LONDON KCL | UK |
8 | UNIVERSITEIT LEIDEN UL | NL |
9 | MAX PLANCK GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FOERDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN E.V. MPG | D |
10 | TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET DRESDEN TUD | D |
11 | THE UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD USFD | UK |
12 | UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI PADOVA UNIPD | IT |
13 | UNIVERSITAET ZU KOELN UCO | D |
14 | UNIVERSITAET ZUERICH UZH | CH |
15 | UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON UCL | UK |
16 | UNI RESEARCH AS URA | N |
17 | THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM BHAM | UK |
18 | THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY USYD | AUS |
19 | ZF BIOLABS SL ZFB | ES |
20 | IMPERIAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND MEDICINE IMPERIAL | UK |