Objective
The first-ever genome project on a seaweed (Ectocarpus siliculosus) presents an unprecedented opportunity to study an algal host-pathogen interaction with state-of-the art molecular approaches. This model has the strength of being both of environmental and fundamental relevance, enabling issues to be addressed ranging from the impact of diseases in marine ecosystems to the evolution of pathogenicity among protists. As a Marie Curie IEF Fellow, I have been setting up a laboratory-controlled pathosystem involving the oomycete pathogen Eurychasma dicksonii and developed robust protocols on this model. My results demonstrate, for the first time in brown algae, the existence of a genetically-determined immunity, most probably mediated by programmed cell death and conserved across the whole phylum. The aim of this proposal is to build on my current work and support the following long term research objectives: 1) Investigating complementary aspects of the defence mechanisms of brown algae: a) programmed cell death as a component of Ectocarpus innate immunity; b) metabolite profiling of algae suceptible or resistant to infection, with the potential of identifying new bioactive (antifungal) compounds 2) Deciphering some infection mechanisms of Eurychasma, through a cDNA-based gene discovery approach. As Eurychasma is the most basal oomycete known so far, this undertaking will give unprecedented insights into the evolution of infection strategies within this lineage, and more generally among protists. 3) Looking for molecular signatures of host-pathogen coevolution in the field, as a contribution to the understanding epidemic impact on algal populations and coastal ecosystems. During the course of this work, a proactive approach will be used towards the identification of bioactive natural compounds or conserved drug targets, potentially resulting in spin-off findings applicable to the development of improved strategies to combat disease in agronomy and medicine.
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.
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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.
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-ERG-2008
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
PA37 1QA OBAN
United Kingdom
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.