Objective
Genomics research combined with revolutionary genome editing tools has created new opportunities to explore fundamental aspects of biology and develop novel (bio)technologies for medicine, agriculture, and industry. The OMEGA project is designed to build on these developments by enabling Megabase-scale engineering of plant genomes. Experimentally-determined lists of essential genes have been crucial for such large-scale projects in other species but are currently unavailable in plants. Therefore, the OMEGA project needs to determine which plant genes are essential for growth and development. However, the standard technologies used to identify essential genes are limited by genetic interactions (e.g. redundancy, synthetic lethality). My group is developing multiplex CRISPR screens in plants to specifically overcome these limitations. The OMEGA project will use this capability to identify genome-wide essential genes and genetic interactions in Physcomitrium patens. This will be the first systematic genetic interaction screen in plants and will likely identify interactions conserved across the green lineage. The OMEGA project will also develop technologies to move, edit, and delete DNA at the Megabase scale. As proof-of-concept, I aim to reduce ~10% of the P. patens genome and remove all non-essential DNA from one chromosome. The SCRaMbLE system will be adapted for P. patens and used as an alternative approach to minimize chromosomes and also perform in planta directed evolution. Lastly, we will use a DNA assembly method developed in my lab to build biosynthetic pathways in vivo using modular DNA assembly methods. These tools will create opportunities to explore fundamental aspects of genomics, chromosomal biology and synthetic biology. The objectives of project OMEGA are necessarily ambitious as these technologies will allow us to perform controlled, Megabase-scale engineering projects in plant genomes not possible with the current generation of genome editing tools.
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 genetics DNA
- agricultural sciences agriculture, forestry, and fisheries agriculture
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics chromosomes
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics genomes
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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.
9052 ZWIJNAARDE - GENT
Belgium
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.