About Livia
Read about Livia’s project.
Supervision
Luciano Di Croce
CRG, 1st Supervisor
Giacomo Cavalli
CNRS, 2nd Supervisor
Objectives
Understand how the PCL family of proteins is implicated in modulating Polycomb binding and functions.
Methodology
Polycomb-group (PcG) proteins are key regulators of the transcriptional programs that maintain stem cell properties and dictate lineage specification. In mouse ESCs, PcG proteins encompass two enzymatically distinct complexes, the Polycomb Repressive Complex 1 (PRC1) and 2 (PRC2). Failure to properly control developmental transcription programs by Polycomb proteins is linked to disease and embryonic lethality. Genome-wide binding of PRC2 is modulated by ancillary proteins such as PCL family of proteins. Study the role of PCL1/2/3 in mouse ES cell and during differentiation into neurons and cardiomyocytes.
Expected Results
Revealing the role of PCL proteins in modulating occupancy of PRC2 complex in mouse ES cells and their role during differentiation.
Planned Secondments
CNRS, France (2 months):
Image analysis of undifferentiated and differentiated ES cells WT.
Modulation of the expression of PCL proteins and differentiation.
ELISAVA, Spain (2 weeks):
Design new ways to communicate science results.
Enrolment in doctoral programs
PhD in Biochemistry from Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona
References
Santanach, A. et al. The Polycomb group protein CBX6 is an essential regulator of embryonic stem cell identity. Nat Commun 8, 1235, doi:10.1038/s41467-017-01464-w (2017).
Ballare, C. et al. Phf19 links methylated Lys36 of histone H3 to regulation of Polycomb activity. Nat Struct Mol Biol 19, 1257-1265, doi:10.1038/nsmb.2434 (2012).