Project description
Two may be better than one: the multiple symbionts of a Mediterranean squid
Symbiosis, which means ‘living together’ in Greek, is a common theme in nature describing two organisms in a long-term, sometimes mutually beneficial, relationship. The squid-vibrio symbiosis is widely used to study mutually beneficial associations, also known as mutualisms. For the last several decades, the Hawaiian bobtail squid (Euprymna scolopes) has been studied extensively but has only one symbiont, Vibrio fischeri. Many larger organisms have more than one symbiont. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the SquidVibrio project will study the Mediterranean squid Sepiola affinis and its two symbionts, V. fischeri and Vibrio logei. By combining metagenomics, confocal microscopy and mass spectrometry, the project will address unanswered questions on how symbionts interact both with each other and their host.
Objective
Animals often use associations with microbes to preserve their health. These mutualisms are maintained by host-microbe communication and though interactions between bacterial symbionts. The squid-vibrio symbiosis has been used for over 30 years to study beneficial host-microbe associations. However, nearly all studies of the symbiosis have used Euprymna scolopes and its only symbiont, Vibrio fischeri, which precludes examination of how multiple microbial species affect symbiosis. Using the squid Sepiola affinis, and its two symbionts, V. fischeri and Vibrio logei, the SquidVibrio project proposes to examine the effects of multiple microbial species within a mutualism. The project is organized into three objectives. 1) Implement a husbandry facility for S. affinis. 2) Quantify the symbiont populations within the S. affinis light organ over seasons and over maturation. 3) Identify how the symbiont populations alter metabolites within the light organ. First, a husbandry facility will be established at the Banyuls-sur-Mer Oceanographic Observatory that will allow for the maintenance of wild S. affinis and for rearing of the squid. Second, metagenomics will be used to estimate the proportions of V. fischeri and V. logei within the light organ. Subsequently, light organs of field-caught and reared squid will be imaged using confocal microscopy to identify if the Vibrio spp. inhabit mixed or distinct niches. The third objective will use LC-MS and mass spectrometry imaging to identify metabolites that are altered by each Vibrio spp. and how localization patterns of these molecules are affected. These methods will allow for the two-way transfer of knowledge, with the researcher providing squid husbandry techniques and the host institution providing genomics and metabolomics. The SquidVibrio project will establish S. affinis as a model organism in Europe that can provide insights into how symbionts interact both with each other and their host to underly a mutualism.
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
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy
- natural sciences biological sciences biological behavioural sciences ethology biological interactions
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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.
75006 PARIS
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.