Project description
Theoretical modelling of cell division fundamental mechanisms
The mechanisms of precise cell division site positioning are incompletely understood. In the bacterium Myxococcus xanthus (Mx), the protein cluster PomX/Y/Z self-assembles on the nucleoid surface and translocates to the midcell to guide the division machinery in an ATP-dependent manner. Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the PomXYZ project will develop a theoretical model of the process, guiding the machinery for cell division to midcell in the Mx bacterium. During cell division, the Pom cluster undergoes fission, and the resulting clusters translocate to the midcell in daughter cells to induce further cell divisions. The researchers will employ a mesoscopic model, combining spatial dynamics with locally stimulated reactions, to study Pom cluster formation, translocation and fission.
Objective
In my research project I will theoretically model a fundamental process in the cell division of the model bacterium Myxococcus xanthus, namely the process for guiding the machinery for cell division to midcell. In M. xanthus, a cluster comprised of the proteins PomX, PomY, PomZ self-assembles on the nucleoid surface and in an ATP-consuming reaction cycle translocates to midcell, to guide the cell division machinery there. During cell division the Pom cluster undergoes fission, and the resulting two Pom clusters on the daughter cells again translocate to the respective midcell to induce further cell divisions. I will consider a mesoscopic model which combines spatial dynamics with locally stimulated reactions, to study the formation, translocation, and fission of the Pom cluster. My model is informed, and will be further refined, using experimental results of the group of Lotte Sgaard-Andersen at the MPI for Terrestrial Microbiology, an established collaborator of my supervisor Erwin Frey. I will quantify the constraints imposed on the protein-protein and protein-nucleoid interactions by the tasks the Pom cluster needs to fulfill (self-assembly, translocation, fission), and relate my mesoscopic model both to previously proposed heuristic models on Pom cluster translocation and to (stochastic) reaction-diffusion models. My project will lead to a deeper understanding of how biological systems actively create and maintain order. My mesoscopic model combines spatial dynamics with locally stimulated reactions, which are the two conceptual building blocks needed for spatial organization driven by energy consumption. My model will therefore be applicable also in other instances of biological self-organization, as well as in self-assembly of artificial nanostructures, both of which are active and growing research directions. My project will therefore make my research profile more impactful, which will help me to reach my goal of becoming an independent group leader.
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 physical sciences condensed matter physics soft matter physics
- natural sciences biological sciences cell biology
- natural sciences computer and information sciences computational science
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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)
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Topic(s)
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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
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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.
80539 MUNCHEN
Germany
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