Project description
Use of microRNAs to combat plant pathogens
Recent research has demonstrated that microRNAs (miRNAs) secreted by plant hosts can affect the viability of specific microorganisms, including pathogens. The EU-funded RhizoMiR project will explore the impact of miRNAs secreted by plant roots on the composition and gene expression of the rhizosphere microbiome. The research fellow will carry out metagenomic and transcriptomic analyses of the soil rhizosphere of plant models (Arabidopsis thaliana and Brachypodium distachyon) grown under laboratory conditions, also applying them to selected crops grown under natural conditions. The spectrum of activity of specific, or combinations of, secreted miRNAs will also be explored using A. thaliana knock-out mutants or by perturbation of the secreted miRNAs in wild type plants using a strategy based on innovative mitochondrial intermediate peptidase technology.
Objective
An innovative strategy for sustainable ‘green’ agriculture to substitute to the use of fertilizer and pesticides is urgently needed. In plants, the micro-organisms of the rhizosphere associated with the plant root, are known to affect the physiology and the development of the plant. Therefore, modulating the microbiome of the rhizosphere may be a promising strategy to achieve sustainable green agriculture. Recent research has shown that miRNAs secreted by eukaryotic host can act as an interkingdom signal to impact the viability of specific micro-organisms, including pathogens. Therefore, this EU proposal aims to explore the impact of miRNAs secreted by the plant root on the composition and gene expression of the rhizosphere microbiome. The objectives are (1) to identify specific secreted miRNAs that may influence the rhizosphere microbiome composition, (2) to analyse the biological features of the secreted miRNA-containing vesicles, (3) to understand how specific secreted miRNAs influence microbiome gene expression, (4) to determine in natura the repertoire of miRNA and associated microbiome for selected plants of agricultural interest. A combination of metagenomic and transcriptomic analysis of the soil rhizosphere from plant models (Arabidopsis thaliana and Brachypodium distachyon) under laboratory condition, as well as with selected plants of agricultural interest in natura conditions will be undertaken. The spectrum of activity of specific, or combinations of, secreted miRNAs will be also explored using A. thaliana knock-out mutants, or by perturbation of the secreted miRNAs in the WT plant using a strategy based on innovative miPEP technology. Ultimately this research can have application for miRNA-based modulation of the microbiomes of halobionts, including plants of agricultural interest. The unique complementarity of expertise between the fellow and his supervisor, completed by a well designed training program, will allow him to take up this challenge.
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.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques.
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicinephysiology
- agricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculture
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Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)Coordinator
35042 Rennes
France