Project description
Mechanisms underlying the regulation of meristem maintenance and function
Mutations in the receptor-like kinase (RLK) CLAVATA1 (CLV1) in the shoot meristem are responsible for several advantageous crop traits, such as larger tomato fruit. A similar stem cell control pathway acts in the root meristem. Hence, meristems have become the focus of attempts to improve crop productivity. The EU-funded CLAVHUB project will use state-of-the-art proteomics, super-resolution nanoscopy and high-resolution in vivo fluorescence microscopy methods to characterise plasmodesmata-localised RLK complexes in Arabidopsis and identify novel downstream signalling effectors. The role of the RLKs CLV1 and ARABIDOPSIS CRINKLY 4 in regulating plasmodesmata signalling and transport and in controlling meristem maintenance and development will be analysed using CRISPR knock-out mutants and novel in vivo signalling and transport assays.
Objective
Meristems are the stem cell reservoirs that enable plants to grow and develop throughout their lifetime. Meristem activities shape a plant’s architecture and phenotype, and enable it to acclimate and respond to its environment. However, little is known of the mechanisms through which meristem maintenance and functions are regulated. The receptor-like kinase (RLK) CLAVATA1 (CLV1) promotes cell differentiation and forms a negative feedback loop with the mobile, stem cell fate-promoting transcription factor WUSCHEL (WUS) in the shoot meristem to balance the generation of new organs with stem cell maintenance. Mutations in the CLV1 pathway are responsible for several advantageous crop traits achieved through selective breeding, such as larger tomato fruit, making meristems the focus of further attempts to improve crop productivity. A similar stem cell control pathway acts in the root meristem, involving the RLKs ARABIDOPSIS CRINKLY 4 (ACR4) and CLV1, which form complexes that preferentially localise to plasmodesmata (PDs). This led to the hypothesis that these complexes control the symplastic exchange of molecules, such as transcription factors that promote stem cell fate, through PDs.
Here I will use state-of-the-art proteomics, super-resolution nanoscopy and high-resolution in vivo fluorescence microscopy methods to characterise these PD-localised RLK complexes in Arabidopsis, and identify novel downstream signalling effectors. Using CRISPR knock-out mutants and novel in vivo signalling and transport assays, I will analyse the roles of CLV1/ACR4-signalling in regulating PD signalling and transport, and in controlling meristem maintenance and development.
A greater understanding of CLV1/ACR4-signalling functions and the effect of changes in regulatory gene expression will enable the development of synthetic peptides or targeted plant breeding strategies to control plant phenology and architecture, ensuring crops can be adapted to grow in an ever-changing climate.
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 cell biology
- agricultural sciences agriculture, forestry, and fisheries agriculture agronomy plant breeding
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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.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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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.
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)
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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) H2020-MSCA-IF-2020
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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.
40225 Dusseldorf
Germany
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.