Project description
Innovative single-cell system for plant mechanics
Living organisms change shape and structure during development. However, the molecular mechanoperception mechanisms involved and the way organs integrate local and global patterns are only partially understood. Plants are ideal systems to study the multicellular implications of mechanotransduction in development as their mechanics are mainly mediated by the cell wall. Previous work revealed that microtubules align with maximal tensile stress direction in plants, altering organ shape in a feedback loop. The EU-funded MUSIX project will test the hypothesis that microtubules are their own mechanosensors and that wall sensing interferes with this response to account for cell geometry or intercellular cues. Moreover, it will introduce an innovative single-cell system in which an artificial well replaces the wall.
Objective
During development, living organisms change shape and thus also change structure. The resulting pattern of force controls cell behavior and thus development. However, the molecular mechanoperception mechanisms involved are only partially understood and how organs integrate local and global patterns of forces is another open question. Plants are ideal systems to study the multicellular implications of mechanotransduction in development because their mechanics is mainly mediated by the cell wall and cells do not move. In past work, we showed that microtubules align with maximal tensile stress direction in planta, thereby guiding the deposition of stiff cellulose microfibrils in cell walls, thus altering organ shape in a feedback loop. Based on our preliminary data, we will test the hypothesis that microtubules are their own mechanosensors, and that wall sensing interferes with this response to account for cell geometry or intercellular cues. The main technical breakthrough behind MUSIX is the introduction of a novel, high-throughput, single cell system in which the wall is replaced by an artificial well, enabling its mechanics and chemistry to be modulated. This simpler approach will allow us to dissect the contribution of wall components in mechanosensing in the absence of interfering global molecular cues. We will then integrate these biophysical mechanisms in multicellular development. Using natural and artificial mosaics (Cre-Lox system) in plant organoids and real organs, we will explore how the autonomous microtubule response to stress integrates mechanical conflicts between adjacent cells in tissues through wall sensing. This work has important implications beyond plant science, including cell signaling (how cells perceive their environment), developmental proprioception (how organs perceive and monitor their own shape and growth), compensation (how organs manage growth-derived mechanical conflicts) and robustness (how tissues manage growth fluctuations).
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.
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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)
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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
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2020-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.
75007 PARIS CEDEX 07
France
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