Project description
Modulation of trophic flow by parasite-host interactions
Parasites are important components of ecosystems, and their interactions with hosts may often lead to disease. Therefore, it is necessary to characterise this relationship on different levels and determine the trophic transfer during parasite-host interactions. The EU-funded PARAISO project proposes to develop an isotope-based analytical technique which provides a unique fingerprint of food sources and trophic interactions between organisms. Using this method, the project will detect amino acid changes during trophic transfer between host and parasite, providing insight into the contribution of the latter to the food web.
Objective
Parasitic trophic interactions have been largely excluded in food web studies, but recent research has highlighted their integral role in affecting food web properties. Previous efforts to unravel trophic interactions between parasites and their hosts have used stable isotope analysis of whole tissues (bulk SIA, 13C and 15N), but these studies show considerably higher variability in the isotopic differences between parasites and their resources than usually observed for free-living species. This variability, combined with likely effects on the isotopic composition of infected hosts further confound trophic interactions within food webs. PARAISO aims to make a significant contribution to our understanding of parasitic trophic interactions and their potential to affect the isotopic composition of infected hosts through an innovative integrated approach combining field sampling and laboratory feeding experiments with the simultaneous analysis of bulk SIA and compound-specific stable isotope analysis of amino acids (CSIA-AA). This novel technique allows for the detection of changes in individual amino acids during trophic transfer and for comparison of source vs trophic amino acids to identify the trophic level of individual animals. Combining field samplings, laboratory-based feeding experiments with four common coastal parasite-host systems, and the use of bulk SIA and CSIA-AA will allow for determination of isotopic changes caused by dietary shifts or parasitic infections in both hosts and parasites. With this novel interdisciplinary approach using cutting-edge technologies, PARAISO will significantly advance our understanding of trophic transfer during parasite-host interactions. Through successful implementation of this project, the gained skills and dissemination actions will considerably contribute to EU excellence in isotope ecology and ecological parasitology and place the applicant in a powerful position to continue her career.
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 health sciences parasitology
- natural sciences biological sciences ecology
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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.
3526 KV UTRECHT
Netherlands
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.