Objective
Mutualisms underpin much of the complexity of the natural world, in interactions as diverse as coral bleaching, nitrogen fixation in root nodules, and the human gut microbiomes. Understanding how interspecific mutualisms (cooperation between different species) can be stable over many generations is a key unresolved subject within evolutionary biology.
Fungus-farming attine ants are an excellent model system to address this question experimentally as they form complex associations with antibiotic-producing actinobacteria (from the genus Pseudonocardia) that they grow on their cuticle. The extent to which these associations represent stable adaptive remedies against a single fungal pathogen, or ongoing evolutionary ‘arms races’ between bacterial biofilms and multiple pathogens of fungal crops and/or ant farmers has been subject of recent debate.
Capitalising on recent discoveries (and a technological advance) in the Copenhagen Centre for Social Evolution, this proposal aims to make a significant contribution towards generally resolving this controversy. We will test the hypothesis that newly hatched ants always start their adult lives with a “native” vertically acquired actinomycete strain but obtain more complex biofilm cultures after they begin foraging outside the nest. I will use an experimental approach to manipulate the nature of the association between the ants and bacteria, to test specific questions about coadaptation, partner fidelity, and specificity in pathogen defence – something that is relatively uniquely possible with this system. In doing so, the proposal will also bring together the best possible expert mentors in Europe, both in the host group and as external collaborators. If this idea were confirmed, it may be the first example of a mutualism that changes function during host development. These results will also contribute to a broader understanding of how mutualistic associations more generally can be maintained over time.
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 evolutionary biology
- engineering and technology environmental engineering natural resources management
- natural sciences biological sciences biological behavioural sciences ethology biological interactions
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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.
FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IEF
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.
Coordinator
1165 KOBENHAVN
Denmark
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.