SPINDLE DYNAMICS · Understanding the dynamics of cell division
FP6 — Marie Curie Actions (Human Resources and Mobility)
- Duration
- 2005-01-01 → 2008-12-31
- EU contribution
- €2,401,446
- Participants
- 11
- Scheme
- RTN
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners. CORDIS does not always give exact coordinates for projects before 2014. These points are placed at city or country level.
Results in brief
Final Activity Report Summary - SPINDLE DYNAMICS (Understanding the dynamics of cell division)
The SPINDLE DYNAMICS network integrated groups working on various aspects of cell division. It brought together groups working on different model organisms and using different technologies. This allowed an interdisciplinary perspective on this complex research topic. The network focussed especially on the investigation of dynamic processes occurring in spindles during cell division. The network studied this in cultured human cells, in Drosophila, in yeast, in Xenopus egg extract and in vitro with purified proteins. Proteomic and genetic approaches were combined with cell biological, biochemical and biophysical approaches. One especially succeessful aspect of the network was the integration of chemical biology into the investigation of the mechano-chemical network of the spindle resulting in several joint publications. Important outcomes of the research undertaken by the network were a better understanding of kinetochore functioning, a better understanding of regulating processes dependent on various mitotic kinases, a better understanding of the functioning of molecular motors and their role for spindle function. This was made possible by the development of several novel light microscopy based assays by several network labs. The regular annual meeting of the network were always highlights because they allowed the PhD students and postdocs to present their results to collaborators and to get input through discussions. These meetings also opened up new collaborations, facilitated the exchange of reagents and training of PhD students and postdocs.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
This Research Network consists of nine teams that provide an interdisciplinary environment for training researchers in the field of eukaryotic cell division. The teams combine expertise in cell biology, biochemistry, proteomics, biophysics, chemical geneti cs, organic chemistry, and mathematics. The scientific goal of the joint research programme is to understand the dynamics of cell division and to discover inhibitors of mitosis with potential as anti-cancer drugs. The multidisciplinary network aims at over coming the fragmentation of research into the fields of spindle mechanics and cell cycle regulation, at bringing together laboratories working on different model organisms, and facilitating exchange between experimentalists and theoreticians. The network i ntegrates different tasks, for example identifying missing interaction partners of mitotic regulators and motor proteins, developing novel quantitative in vivo fluorescence microscopy assays, performing high-throughput screens of chemical libraries of smal l molecules to identify inhibitors and activators of mitotic proteins, and theoretical modelling of cell division. This Research Network is necessary, because understanding a complex biological process like cell division requires an integrated approach com bining various disciplines and techniques. The need is even more pressing, since diseases related to cell proliferation are a major unsolved problem in European societies and on a world-wide level. In conclusion, training by this Research Network will prep are the early-stage and experienced researchers for tackling complex biological systems like the cell division machine. Quite generally, they will have a qualification to address challenges in modern biology requiring interdisciplinary approches. They will be prepared for basic research and for work in the biomedical sector.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- EUROPEAN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY LABORATORY · HEIDELBERGCoordinatorGermany
- BUDAPESTI MUSZAKI ES GAZDASAGTUDOMANYI EGYETEM · BUDAPESTHungary
- CENTRE DE REGULACIÓ GENÒMICA · BARCELONACity levelSpain
- CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE · PARISFrance
- FUNDAÇÃO CALOUSTE GULBENKIAN - INSTITUTO GULBENKIAN DE CIÊNCIA · LISBOACity levelPortugal
- Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften eV · MÜNCHENGermany
- PATERSON INSTITUTE FOR CANCER RESEARCH, CHRISTIE HOSPITAL NHS TRUST · MANCHESTERCity levelUnited Kingdom
- RUPRECHT-KARLS-UNIVERSITAET HEIDELBERG · HEIDELBERGGermany
- UNIVERSITAET KONSTANZ · KONSTANZGermany
- UNIVERSITÄT LEIPZIG · LEIPZIGCity levelGermany
- University of Cambridge · CambridgeUnited Kingdom
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union