Project description
What we can learn from bees
Although the gut microbiome is a key element for human and animal health, there is still a lot to be explored under non-in vitro conditions regarding the genetic factors that influence it. The EU-funded BEE_GEMS project aims to offer empirical insight regarding the general principles behind microbiome assembly and function and thus contribute to every sector where microbiomes are involved. Using the bee gut microbiome as a case study, the project will focus on analysing the microbial interaction processes at molecular and ecological level.
Objective
The gut microbiome is essential for the wellbeing of many animals including humans and bees. However, the genetic factors that enable stable, healthy microbiomes remain poorly understood. In particular, little is known about how different members of a gut microbial community communicate and interact with one another, both at the molecular level (which genes underlie the interactions) and the ecological level (how these genes are distributed across populations). Due to the complexity of most gut microbiomes, previous work in this field has largely been limited to in vitro studies using simplified, synthetic communities. In contrast, the core aim of this project is a systematic analysis of microbial interaction mechanisms at both the molecular and ecological levels. Unlike other systems, we can culture all members of the bee gut microbiome and have recently developed genetic tools for their manipulation. I will leverage these unique advantages, together with my expertise in social bees (honey bees, bumble bees) and microbial genetics, in an integrative approach to fulfil the project objectives. Work Package 1 will reveal the genes underlying pairwise intermicrobial interactions though unbiased in vitro and in vivo transcriptomics and proteomics. These genes, together with candidates I previously identified (secretion systems and toxin genes), will be investigated in detail using genetic and biochemical methods to uncover their mechanisms of action and novel functions. Work Package 2 will clarify how these interactions play out across populations by assessing variation of interaction genes with ecological factors (geography, host background), and by probing the evolutionary forces that lead to these variations. Our findings will contribute empirically to identifying the general principles behind microbiome assembly and function, which has broad implications across all fields where microbiomes play important roles including in agriculture, medicine, and biotechnology.
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 biochemistry biomolecules proteins proteomics
- natural sciences biological sciences biological behavioural sciences ethology biological interactions
- 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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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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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) ERC-2021-STG
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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.
1649-035 LISBOA
Portugal
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.