Objective
The emergence of complex eukaryotic life forms on Earth from prokaryotic cells is one of the most fundamental questions in biology and also one of the least understood transitions in evolution. Phylogenomic studies recently indicated that the eukaryotic line of descent arose from within the TACK+L superphylum of Archaea. This proposal addresses the systematic analysis of two newly discovered, but largely uncharacterized lineages of Archaea from this superphylum that mark crucial evolutionary transitions. Thaumarchaeota harbor unique ‘eukaryotic’ features and represent the sole group of Archaea that has successfully radiated into virtually any moderate habitat on Earth. The Lokiarchaeota lineage found recently in deep marine sediments forms a direct sister group of Eukaryotes and exhibits an unprecedented array of genes that might have been instrumental for the ancestor of eukaryotes to develop its cellular and genomic complexity. Obviously, the molecular and biochemical investigation of both groups is timely and important, yet, it requires easy access and cultivation. We have now discovered Lokiarchaeota in local, accessible environments and were able to successfully cultivate thermophilic Thaumarchaeota. In this proposal, we will characterize the metabolic and structural traits of these two archaeal lineages and reconstruct their evolutionary ancestry in the context of the TACK+L superphylum. Beside the use of cutting edge techniques for cultivation, metagenomics and stable-isotope-based imaging, a novel method will be developed for in situ metatranscriptomic analyses of archaea. This project will give fundamental insights into the ecological success of Archaea in commonplace environments and into the biology of the closest living prokaryotic relatives of Eukaryotes. Reconstructing the ancestral gene repertoire and biological features of lineages of the TACK+L superphylum will help resolve the enigma of the emergence of eukaryotes.
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: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
- natural sciences biological sciences ecology
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics genomes
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
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.
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H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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.
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.
ERC-ADG - Advanced Grant
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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.
(opens in new window) ERC-2015-AdG
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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.
1010 WIEN
Austria
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.