Project description
Nuclei mixing across symbiotic fungal networks
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) form a widespread terrestrial symbiosis system with the roots of most plants known as “mycorrhizal symbiosis”. AMF connect with many plants at the same time and form large underground common mycorrhizal networks (CMN) where carbon and nutrients are exchanged. A single AMF cell contains thousands of nuclei, and recent studies demonstrated that some AMF contain two genomes. The ERC-funded NUCLEAR MIX project aims to uncover the rationale, benefits or detriments of nuclei mixing within single AMF cells and across CMN. Using state-of-the-art microscopy and molecular methods, the researchers will investigate the role of the co-existence of the two genomes in sexual reproduction and how nuclei mixing affects the interconnected fungi and plants across scales.
Objective
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) form one of the most widespread terrestrial symbiosis on earth with the roots of plants, known as mycorrhizal symbiosis. Multiple AMF connect with multiple plants simultaneously forming large underground common mycorrhizal networks (CMN) where carbon and nutrients are exchanged.
In contrast to most organisms where a single cell carries a single nucleus, a single AMF cell holds thousands of nuclei. This mysterious multinucleate and clonal biology has generated open questions in evolutionary biology. First, AMF have been called evolutionary scandals for supposedly surviving millions of years without sex, contradicting the theory that lack of sex in eukaryotes should lead to extinction. Second, their permanent multinucleate nature has generated debates about what defines an AMF individual.
My work, and others, recently demonstrated that AMF have a unique genetic organization, with some AMF containing - not one - but two genomes (nucleotypes). While we now know that variation in this genetic system exists, it is unknow: (i) how this genetic diversity is produced, (ii) whether this variation exists in absence of sexual reproduction, and (iii) whether this variation affects nutrient trade across mycorrhizal networks.
By using high resolution molecular techniques, advanced microscopy, image analysis, and DNA/RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization, I will ask: What are the costs and benefits of nuclei mixing from single cells to across connected CMN networks? Working across three scales, I will test whether co-existence of two genetic nuclei groups result in sexual reproduction (WP1) how interactions affect the mycelia fitness of interconnected strains across CMNs (WP2) and how nuclei mixing affects plant response and plant community assembly (WP3).
This work will challenge long held dogmas (AMF asexuality and network connectivity) and can help maximize the benefits of the mycorrhizal mutualism for agriculture.
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
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy
- natural sciences biological sciences biological behavioural sciences ethology biological interactions
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics RNA
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics genomes
You need to log in or register to use this function
We are sorry... an unexpected error occurred during execution.
You need to be authenticated. Your session might have expired.
Thank you for your feedback. You will soon receive an email to confirm the submission. If you have selected to be notified about the reporting status, you will also be contacted when the reporting status will change.
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.
-
HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
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
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
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-2022-STG
See all projects funded under this callHost institution
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.
1081 HV Amsterdam
Netherlands
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.