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The molecular suite of shell Bio- & ArCHaeochromes

Project description

Insight into ancient mollusc shell pigments

Mollusc shells display a remarkable variety of colours and patterns proven to endure time as the pigmentation seems to remain almost intact in fossils. These shell pigments likely serve vital functions, such as immunity, shell strengthening, and protection from environmental stress. Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the BACH project proposes to investigate the chemical nature and mineralisation process of these shell biochromes. Researchers will employ omics techniques and gene editing tools to identify the genes implicated in the process. Project findings will help determine whether shell biochromes constitute promising ancient biomolecules.

Objective

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.

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HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2022-PF-01

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Coordinator

VILNIAUS UNIVERSITETAS
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 142 757,76
Address
UNIVERSITETO G. 3
01513 Vilnius
Lithuania

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Region
Lietuva Sostinės regionas Vilniaus apskritis
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

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