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Content archived on 2024-06-18

Evolvability and drivers of photosynthetic transitions in flowering plants

Objective

Several carbon concentrating mechanisms (CCM) have evolved to counteract the deficiencies of the classical photosynthetic pathway (C3 photosynthesis). Their multiple origins represent one of the most striking examples of convergent evolution and make them especially suitable for comparative evolutionary studies. In land plants, the two main CCM are CAM and C4 photosynthesis, which confer an advantage in arid and warm environments. These CCM are ecologically and economically very important, but their evolutionary history remains poorly understood. In particular, the number of transitions between the different photosynthetic types and their directions are still unknown. In this project, a multi-scale phylogenetic approach will be used to address the evolvability and reversibility of the different photosynthetic types together with the factors that influence the probability of a given plant group evolving one or the other CCM. Using two plant groups with a high variability in the photosynthetic types (Poaceae and core Caryophyllales), the genetic changes on an enyzme involved in both CAM and C4 pathways will be identified and, in combination with species phylogenies, will serve to retrace past photosynthetic transitions. The effect of different plant characteristics on CCM evolvability will be tested through comparative analyses in the generated phylogenetic framework. This approach will finally be transferred to a grass genus extremely variable in its photosynthetic characteristics, to shed light on CCM microevolutionary processes. Overall, this project will bring important insights about the causes and consequences of one of the greatest ecological and evolutionary successes in plant history.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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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.

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

FP7-PEOPLE-2009-IOF
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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.

MC-IOF - International Outgoing Fellowships (IOF)

Coordinator

THE UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD
EU contribution
€ 261 334,20
Address
FIRTH COURT WESTERN BANK
S10 2TN Sheffield
United Kingdom

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Region
Yorkshire and the Humber South Yorkshire Sheffield
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

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.

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