Objective
The endosymbiotic integration of cyanobacteria within Eukaryotes was one of the pivotal evolutionary transitions. This transition, however, is difficult to study because modern plastids represent highly derived end-states and are not transitionary; we know, therefore, very little about the mechanisms involved. Primary plastid endosymbiosis has occurred only twice: once in the ancestor of Archaeplastida and once independently in the amoeba Paulinella. Each Paulinella cell houses two chromatophores, which are photosynthetic units that resemble plastids yet are more closely related to cyanobacteria. Genetic studies of Paulinella and its cyanobacterial-derived chromatophores revealed it is an intermediary in the evolution of a photosynthetic organelle. Studying Paulinella, therefore, offers unique insight into the mechanistic processes of plastid integration. Despite our growing genetic knowledge, little is known about the integration of the chromatophores in terms of their cellular physiology. In this proposal, I aim to address this by exploring this unique association at the metabolomic, transcriptomic and proteomic levels. First, I plan to characterise the metabolites exchanged between the cell and chromatophores using an isotope-labelling metabolic experiment (objective 1). Second, I will study the coordinated light response of the nucleus and chromatophore at the transcriptional, metabolic, and protein level (objective 2). Finally, I will perform a long-term evolution experiment to expose Paulinella chromatophora to high and fluctuating light regimes to test whether its light regulation can evolve in response to different light environments (objective 3). The outcomes will provide insight into the molecular mechanisms that facilitate the integration of the chromatophores within Paulinella. This in turn will aid our understanding of the acquisition and integration of plastids, and the evolutionary trajectory from endosymbiont to organelle.
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
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology
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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.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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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) HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01
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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.
40225 Dusseldorf
Germany
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.