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Delivery of Small RNAs by Functional Hydrogel Nanoparticles to Improve Osmotic strEss Tolerance in Plants

Objective

RNA interference is a potent technology largely employed to trigger gene silencing and control specific biological processes. The
delivery of small RNA is one of the most intriguing challenges in RNAi technology. Smart nanomaterials for safe and effective RNA
delivery have been successfully exploited in animals, while a limited number of applications have been proposed in plants so far. The
present project aims to develop and to validate smart hydrogel for small RNA (siRNA and miRNA) delivery able to knock down the
expression of selected genes and ultimately promote osmotic stress tolerance in plants. To achieve these objectives, natural
hydrogels such as dextran, poly(ethylene glycol), chitosan and alginate will be synthesised and functionalised with small RNAs in
order to obtain nanomaterials with unique properties. Hydrogels will be applied to plant leaves and roots, both in vitro and in vivo. As
proof of concept, DAFNE will target control genes such as phytoene desaturase (PDS) and green fluorescent protein (GFP) in the
model species Arabidopis thaliana, whose knockdown phenotypes are well-known and easily detected. Subsequently, functional
hydrogels will deliver stress-related miRNAs in order to develop drought tolerant plants in A. thaliana and in a representative food
crop Solanum tuberosum.
Merging distinct expertise, DAFNE will offer the candidate researcher multidisciplinary training in the field of plant biology and
genetics, as well as in molecular and cell biology, which will expand her skills, currently based on chemical engineering.

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Keywords

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

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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.

(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2022-PF-01

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Coordinator

UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI SALERNO
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.

€ 188 590,08
Address
VIA GIOVANNI PAOLO II 132
84084 Fisciano Sa
Italy

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Region
Sud Campania Salerno
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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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.

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