Chrom Rare Project

Within the framework of Chrom_Rare, we will focus on a group of clinically well-defined CPs, including Kabuki Syndrome, Charge Syndrome, Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome and Cornelia de Lange Syndrome. Although the causative genes for these CPs have been identified, the consequences of their inactivation both at the molecular and functional level, have not been defined. The clinical features of CPs vary widely, suggesting that the impact of the haploinsufficiency of the affected chromatin regulators could depend on the epigenetic state and/or interactions with additional genetic and environmental factors. Hence understanding the genetic and epigenetic determinants of CPs represent an immediate medical need, as this will ultimately facilitate reaching the development of new therapeutic approaches.

Create a new research team

Our main goal is to set-up an intra-sectoral, cross-disciplinary training programme that would prepare the next generation of researchers equipped with advanced theoretical, technical and computational skills to study fundamental aspects of chromatin biology and their impact on CPs

Our focus

Within the framework of Chrom_Rare, we will focus on a group of clinically well-defined CPs, including Kabuki Syndrome, Charge Syndrome, Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome and Cornelia de Lange Syndrome. Although the causative genes for these CPs have been identified, the consequences of their inactivation both at the molecular and functional level, have not been defined.

Our results

We aim at developing multiple disease models recapitulating the main clinical features of CPs (WP1), investigating the genetic, epigenetic and topological determinants of CPs (WP2) and uncovering perturbed regulatory circuitries suitable for therapeutic intervention (WP3). Overall Chrom_rare will address unmet socio-economic, medical and scientific needs, for the understanding and possible treatment for CPs.

Network

The Chrom Rare network will be implemented through careful organization of constituting governance and management bodies in charge of supervision, training, advisory, communication, dissemination and exploitation, as well as an expert UNITN team in charge of financial and coordination matters.