Obiettivo A fundamental question in biology is how multicellular organisms distinguish self and non-self. The requirement to specifically recognize only foreign cells and molecules constrains the diversification of the immune system, resulting in conflicts between effective detection of enemies, adaptive changes in the cellular machinery and mating with divergent genotypes from the same species. In plants, there is generally a trade-off between immunity and growth, and immune system activation is often associated with impaired development. There are many examples of autoimmunity in hybrids, caused by a gene product from one parent erroneously interpreting a gene product from the other parent as foreign. This is not surprising, given the extraordinary diversity of many immune genes. On the other hand, hybrid vigor, or heterosis, is commonly observed in F1 progeny from two inbred parents, and this is widely exploited in breeding. Thus, it is also of practical importance to understand how outcrossing affects the plant immune system. We hypothesize that overt hybrid autoimmunity represents only the tip of the iceberg, and that there are many more subtle non-additive genetic interactions that affect both the plant immune system and growth. We therefore propose a comprehensive research program to dissect epistatic interactions with effects on plant growth and health. Specifically, we will conduct genomics-enabled, systematic forward genetic studies with natural genotypes of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana and its outcrossing sister species A. lyrata. This will be complemented by experiments that will link diversity of microbial communities with that of the immune system in natural plant populations. The systematic understanding of forces that shape the distribution of immune gene alleles in the wild will have important implications for engineering disease resistance in crops, by helping to chose the best ensembles of resistance genes. Campo scientifico agricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculture Programma(i) FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Argomento(i) ERC-AG-LS2 - ERC Advanced Grant - Genetics, Genomics, Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Invito a presentare proposte ERC-2013-ADG Vedi altri progetti per questo bando Meccanismo di finanziamento ERC-AG - ERC Advanced Grant Istituzione ospitante MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN EV Contributo UE € 2 499 900,00 Indirizzo HOFGARTENSTRASSE 8 80539 Munchen Germania Mostra sulla mappa Regione Bayern Oberbayern München, Kreisfreie Stadt Tipo di attività Research Organisations Ricercatore principale Detlef Weigel (Prof.) Contatto amministrativo Antje Lemper (Mrs.) Collegamenti Contatta l’organizzazione Opens in new window Sito web Opens in new window Costo totale Nessun dato Beneficiari (1) Classifica in ordine alfabetico Classifica per Contributo UE Espandi tutto Riduci tutto MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN EV Germania Contributo UE € 2 499 900,00 Indirizzo HOFGARTENSTRASSE 8 80539 Munchen Mostra sulla mappa Regione Bayern Oberbayern München, Kreisfreie Stadt Tipo di attività Research Organisations Ricercatore principale Detlef Weigel (Prof.) Contatto amministrativo Antje Lemper (Mrs.) Collegamenti Contatta l’organizzazione Opens in new window Sito web Opens in new window Costo totale Nessun dato