Objective
Polyploidization is a widespread phenomenon among plants and is considered a major speciation mechanism. Before becoming evolutionary successful, newly formed polyploids often have to overcome fertility bottlenecks, because mating with partners of lower ploidy causes incompatibilities in the endosperm leading to the formation of mainly non-viable progeny. This reproductive barrier is called the triploid block. Nevertheless, the most frequent route to polyploid formation is probably through unreduced gametes, suggesting that the triploid block can be overcome. Recent work from our laboratory uncovered a genetic pathway leading to unreduced gamete formation at high frequency and revealed that the triploid block is mainly caused by malfunction of Polycomb group (PcG) proteins. PcG proteins are evolutionary conserved proteins, which assemble into multimeric complexes with chromatin-modifying enzymatic activity, implicating epigenetic regulatory mechanisms as an important element of speciation. Here, I propose to unravel the underlying molecular mechanism(s) of the triploid block by identifying the responsible genes causing endosperm failure upon deregulation and their mechanism of regulation in response to interploidy crosses. I also plan to investigate whether genes that contribute to the triploid block are as well responsible for establishing interspecies incompatibilities within the Arabidopsis genus. This project will combine genetics, genomics and epigenomics and will make extensive use of knowledge and tools that we have been established in my laboratory over the recent years, making it likely that the proposed objectives can be achieved. The results of this project will be of interest to a broad scientific community, including biologists with a strong interest in epigenetic mechanisms as well as ecologists interested to understand mechanisms of plant speciation.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- social sciences sociology demography fertility
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics epigenetics
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
ERC-2011-StG_20101109
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Host institution
750 07 Uppsala
Sweden
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.