aDDRess · Joint Training and Research Program on Chromatin Dynamics and the DNA Damage Response

Defects in DNA repair trigger a number of devastating health complications ranging from developmental abnormalities to the premature onset of age-related diseases, including the metabolic syndrome, neurodegeneration and cancer. To counteract genome instability, cells have evolved a battery of DNA repair mechanisms ensuring that their genome remains functionally intact and is faithfully transmitted to progeny. Recent work reveals that DNA repair factors play additional roles in vital biological processes, including nucleosome remodeling, chromatin architecture, RNA biogenesis or the transcription activation of genes involved in cellular reprogramming and growth. These recent discoveries have pushed the DNA repair field forward and towards new grounds requiring a series of sophisticated functional and multidisciplinary approaches. Based on these novel scientific paths, we have carefully designed the “aDDRess” consortium on the basis of past excellence of the individual participants and their relevance to the proposed field. The action addresses a major research topic i.e. DNA damage in development and disease with great socioeconomic impact in Europe and direct relevance to human health. The objectives of the program are: i. to create a European research platform of excellence in the field of DNA repair by integrating research from basic mechanisms to translational research applications, ii. to establish a Network dedicated to the high-quality training of ESRs promoting their independent careers and future employment prospects, iii. to transform our current successful, long-term collaborations into a stronger intellectual network and build durable links between the participating labs and the industry (SMEs). Understanding the relevance of genome maintenance pathways to human health will shed light onto the causal mechanisms of rare and widespread life-threatening diseases, including cancer.