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Single-molecule visualization of temperature adaptation in sub-cellular dynamics and organization across bacteria

Objective

Most microorganisms lack homeothermic regulation which subjects them to unpredictable fluctuations in environmental temperature. Nevertheless, many bacteria and archaea can grow across a large range of up to 40C. Most biochemical reactions in bacteria occur in the highly crowded cytoplasm constituting a complex and dynamic interaction network of a cell. Temperature affects the rate of both intra- and intermolecular reactions, and large-scale perturbations by temperature could be disastrous to cellular function, homeostasis, and sub-cellular organization. It is still largely unknown, how temperature affects the properties of the cytoplasm and what the consequences to cellular processes are. The driving hypothesis of this project is that bacteria can actively modulate their cytoplasmic state to avoid the detrimental effects of temperature fluctuations.

To test this, I have established cutting-edge super-resolution single-molecule tracking tools to directly observe molecule dynamics in live bacteria in real time. First, we will quantify the diffusion and activity of macromolecules and other probes as a function of temperature to uncover the changes in the cytoplasmic state. Second, we will probe different bacteria growing at temperatures from 0C up to 100C to characterize evolutionary differences in the cytoplasmic dynamics and temperature scaling of reaction rates. Finally, we will uncover mechanisms by which bacteria obtain different cytoplasmic properties. Overall, these approaches will reveal how the cytoplasmic state in bacteria changes with temperature and how this contributes to the cellular processes, which has significant implications on how microorganisms adapt to temperatures and what are the limits of cellular life.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Keywords

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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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.

HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) ERC-2022-STG

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Host institution

AALTO KORKEAKOULUSAATIO SR
Net EU contribution

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.

€ 1 237 076,25
Address
OTAKAARI 1
02150 Espoo
Finland

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Region
Manner-Suomi Helsinki-Uusimaa Helsinki-Uusimaa
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost

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.

€ 1 237 076,25

Beneficiaries (2)

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