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. 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.
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology
- agricultural sciences agriculture, forestry, and fisheries agriculture
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology
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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.
35042 RENNES
France
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.