NEW YORK (GenomeWeb News) – German molecular genetics analysis firm Atlas Biolabs this week announced its participation in two European research projects directed at studying the impact of chromatin dynamics on DNA damage (aDDRess) and the effect of DNA damage on cellular aging (CodeAge).
The projects are receiving funding from the FP7 Marie Curie Initial Training Network of the European Union, which allows young researchers to translate research results into medical applications by encouraging collaborations between academia and medium-sized commercial organizations. A total of 22 research groups across nine countries in Europe are involved in the two projects.
By better understanding chromatin dynamics in DNA repair, novel insights into the mechanisms by which a cell repairs itself from DNA damage and the events that lead to human disease can be ascertained, Atlas said. Investigating cellular responses triggered by DNA damage could also result in new approaches to preventive therapies and a new knowledge of the aging process.
Atlas will be responsible for analyzing next-generation sequencing data collected in the projects, including the development of new strategies and bioinformatics tools for NGS data analysis as well as the identification of biomarkers of DNA damage.
"aDDRess and CodeAge will combine state-of-the-art knowledge in basic molecular genetics, 'omics technologies, translational research, and clinical application," Atlas CEO Peter Nürnberg said in a statement. "I am convinced that our customers will benefit from the added competencies that we will gather from this program."