Project description
Protein import in eukaryotic organelles
Accumulating evidence in mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum indicates the presence of alternative mechanisms for protein targeting and translocation, deviating from the well-understood and conventional import machinery. Funded by the European Research Council, the Chloro-Import project aims to extend this investigation into chloroplasts, the specialised organelles found in plant cells and algae, responsible for photosynthesis – the conversion of light into chemical energy. Using genome-wide tools, researchers will uncover all pathways directing proteins to the chloroplast. The generated knowledge will advance our understanding of chloroplast functions and pave the way towards engineered crops for future climate challenges.
Objective
Protein import into a membrane-bound organelle in eukaryotes has been intensively studied, leading to the discovery of the central intracellular import machineries. Yet, this field has undergone a fundamental paradigm shift following recent discoveries of non-canonical import pathways in the mitochondria and ER. While the chloroplast is still thought to have but one import machinery (TIC/TOC), accumulating evidence indicate it, too, has non-canonical pathways. Technological constraints have so far barred the systematic search for alternative import pathways, as well as the exploration of central aspects relating to this import system: Are there additional import pathways other than the canonical chloroplast translocon apparatus? What ensures correct targeting of proteins in the highly crowded cytosol to the chloroplast? What mediates between quality control processes and protein import?
In Chloro-Import, we will go beyond the state-of-the-art by implementing multipronged, genome-wide, unbiased approaches we developed or adopted to elucidate all the targeting pathways en route to the chloroplast in Chlamydomonas. Specifically, we will use advanced genome-wide screening to comprehensively elucidate chloroplast import pathways (Aim1); uncover the functional organization of import pathways using genetic-interaction profiling and protein-protein-interaction mapping (Aim2); and conduct an in-depth biochemical investigation of the function of unstudied/novel import factors (Aim3). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first-ever study of this scale in a photosynthetic eukaryote cell. The outcome will be a complete map of the chloroplast protein-import system (pathways, components, regulators) and a genetic platform for this system’s in-depth characterization. It will further offer insight into basic questions in chloroplast functioning, and may also pave the way to the synthetic engineering of crops that are more efficient for projected climate changes.
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 biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- agricultural sciences agriculture, forestry, and fisheries agriculture
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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.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
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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.
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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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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2023-STG
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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.
91904 JERUSALEM
Israel
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