Over the past decade, epigenetic phenomena have taken centre stage in our understanding of gene regulation, cellular differentiation and human disease. DNA methylation is a prevalent epigenetic modification in mammals, which is brought about by enzymatic transfer of methyl groups from the S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) cofactor by three known DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs). The most dramatic epigenomic reprogramming in mammalian development occurs after fertilization, whereby a global loss of DNA methylation is followed by massive reinstatement of new methylation patterns, different for each cell type. Although DNA methylation has been extensively investigated, key mechanistic aspects of these fascinating events remain obscure. The goal of this proposal is to bridge the gap in our understanding of how the genomic methylation patterns are established and how they govern cell plasticity and variability during differentiation and development. These questions could only be answered by precise determination of where and when methylation marks are deposited by the individual DNMTs, and how these methylation marks affect gene expression. To achieve this ambitious goal, we will metabolically engineer mouse cells to permit SAM analog-based chemical pulse-tagging of their methylation sites in vivo. We will then advance profiling of DNA modifications to the single cell level via innovative integration of microdroplet-based barcoding, precise genomic mapping and super-resolution imaging. Using this unique experimental system we will determine, with unprecedented detail and throughput, the dynamics and variability of DNA methylation and gene expression patterns during differentiation of mouse embryonic cells to neural and other lineages. This project will give a comprehensive, time-resolved view of the roles that the DNMTs play in mammalian development, which will open new horizons in epigenomic research and will advance our understanding of human development and disease.

The physics of charge and spin transport is the basis of current consumer devices. Recent discoveries in solid-state physics have highlighted the importance of the coupling of the electron’s motion to its spin for transport phenomena. However, our understanding of transport with this so-called spin-orbit coupling has been largely limited to non-interacting systems, even though the first experimental systems with well-controlled spin-orbit coupling and interactions are already available. Here, we aim to provide a theoretical description of these novel interacting spin-orbit coupled systems. More concretely, we will derive equations describing the motion of spin and mass, and solve these equations. We will investigate spin transport in the uncharted regime where the inter-particle interactions compete with spin-orbit coupling. In particular, we will quantify the robustness of the familiar transport phenomena (e.g., the spin Hall effect) in the presence of interactions. The group of Prof. Juzeliunas is at the forefront of spin-orbit coupling physics. The group of Prof. Stringari is one of the leading groups in the world when it comes to collective excitations of the many-body system. Combining their expertise with my quantum transport proficiency will allow to obtain, for the first time, a transport theory of interacting quantum gases with spin-orbit coupling, and provide its predictions as a collective excitation spectrum, which is directly accessible by ultracold-atom experiments. A successful accomplishment of this aim will open up the possibility to push spin-dependent transport phenomena to new regimes.

According to Feminist theories that have approached GBV, social changes related to globalization intersect with etiologies of Violence Against Women (VAW); the causes of VAW no longer stop at national borders. For more than 15 years, the integrated social-ecological theory has evolved as a theoretical model for exploring the factors associated with VAW. The primary research will investigate the relationship between basic cognitive functions (decision-making and emotion regulation), Need for Cognitive Closure, sexist beliefs, and acceptance of gender stereotypes, taking into consideration the “Culture in Mind” theoretical framework, on adherence to and perpetuation of Gender-Based Discrimination (GBD) through its implicit stereotypical manifestations. VAW is one of the major public health problems worldwide: World Health Organization data reported that approximately one in three women worldwide has been a victim of violence. The research project will be structured around four overarching objectives: 1)explore adherence to gender stereotypes in the reference sample; 2)identify the relationship between cognitive variables that lead to stereotypical thinking, to understand which relationships are strongest; 3)investigate which models explain the relationships between cognitive variables and stereotypical thinking; 4)make a comparison between Italy and Lithuania to investigate possible cultural differences. Although the patterns of GBV differ across cultures, the fact that it is a worldwide phenomenon leads to the hypothesis that there are factors that outweigh the cultural aspects that allow discriminatory stereotypes to persist. Therefore, the project aims to integrate into a single theoretical and innovative model the factors that most seem to be related to adherence to gender stereotypes. A policy recommendation will be prepared based on research findings. The innovative aspect of the project lies in an inclusive approach to gender equality seeking prevention of GBD.

Molluscs adorn their shells with an incredible diversity of colours and patterns which were highly appreciated since ancient times. Shell biochromes encode important biological information - they may play a role in immunity, shell strengthening, protection from thermal stress and UV radiation. They are also extremely durable in time – pigments can be found in fossil shells dating to millions of years. Could shell biochromes be among the most promising ancient biomolecules? Despite the great diversity and complexity of shell colours, there is no complete molecular understanding of shell pigmentation in any mollusc system. The studies are limited and our knowledge how biochromes are mineralised (not to mention how they preserve) remains patchy. BAch will carry out an in-depth study of mollusc shell biochromes. The work will focus on a model species Littorina fabalis which displays colour polymorphism and are abundantly found in archaeological record, since they were used in prehistory. I will employ cutting-edge ‘ShellOmic’ techniques - transcriptomics and proteomics, coupled with the first application of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing tool to elucidate the chemical nature of shell biochromes and associated proteins. Gene editing will help to verify genes that are involved in shell coloration and biomineralisation. The research and training will provide me with a novel set of skills reinforcing my position as an expert shell research. Finally, I will use palaeoproteomics, the analysis of ancient proteins by mass spectrometry techniques, to investigate the preservation potential of ancient biochromes, i.e. archaeochromes. In the future, we could use these as biomolecular colour markers to answer archaeological questions. BAch will address decades long query – what are the shell pigments and what biological information do they encode? My unique expertise, multidisciplinary network, international background and expert team on board will guide me to answer these questions.