INGENIUM · Studying Physiology and Pathology of Imprinted Genes to understand the role of Epigenetic Mutations in Human Disease

The aim of this ITN is to promote research and training in the field of epigenetics associated with human disease. Expression of imprinted genes is mono-allelic and gamete of origin-dependent. This is due to different epigenetic modifications present on the maternal and paternal chromosomes. Failure in normal establishment, maintenance or erasure of these marks results in gene dosage dysregulation and Imprinting Disorders (IDs). This ITN brings together different expertise from both public and private sectors with the aim of investigating the physiology and pathology of Genomic Imprinting. We propose to define mechanisms, molecular factors and pathways regulating DNA-methylation and chromatin dynamics involved in gene expression control in human health and disease. This concerted approach has the potential to identify new and more effective diagnostic, preventive and therapeutic strategies for IDs, and more generally to elucidate roles and origin of epigenetic mutations in human pathologies, including common diseases.Early stage (ESRs) and experienced researchers (ERs) will have access to a range of cutting-edge methodologies to enable the application of integrated multidisciplinary strategies to analyse epigenetic phenomena. The excellent scientific and educational environment and the intense public-private sector collaboration will promote high-level training of the young researchers. The ESRs and ERs will acquire experience and expertise in a variety of disciplines, including molecular, cellular and developmental biology, genomics, bioinformatics, chromatin dynamics and epigenetics and phenotypic analysis, and state-of-the-art methodologies such as gene targeting, stem cell culture, epigenetic and chromatin technologies, and massively parallel sequencing. Hence, this ITN will generate a new cohort of scientists trained in contemporary post-genomic biology and able to apply advanced technological tools to investigate human disease in both academia and industry.""