Objective "Over the last decades, technological advances in DNA sequencing have revealed an astonishing diversity in the microbial world. Whether in soil, in waste-water treatment plants, on the surfaces of leaves or lining the inside of the human gut, thousands of microbial species have been found to co-exist. The ability to disentangle the interactions between these species and how they influence each other's survival will aid in both the understanding and control of microbial ecosystems.The goal of this project is to create a predictive framework of evolving social interactions within microbial ecosystems. This will involve the integration of ecological network theory and social evolution theory, two fields that remain largely separate. The predictions of our model will then be applied to a test case microbial ecosystem used for the treatment of industrial waste. Our long-term goal is to develop methods to control real microbial ecosystems. Due to the ubiquity of microbes, we expect there to be many future practical applications for the results of our project. This includes the design and optimization of waste-water treatment plants, the control of microbial infections in humans and the engineering of fertilizers to increase crop efficiency." Fields of science engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringwater treatment processeswastewater treatment processesnatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsDNAnatural sciencesbiological sciencesecologyecosystemsagricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculture Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IEF - Marie-Curie Action: "Intra-European fellowships for career development" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IEF See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-IEF - Intra-European Fellowships (IEF) Coordinator THE CHANCELLOR, MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD EU contribution € 200 371,80 Address WELLINGTON SQUARE UNIVERSITY OFFICES OX1 2JD Oxford United Kingdom See on map Region South East (England) Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Oxfordshire Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Gill Wells (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data