Project description
Enhancing nitrogen fixation for sustainable agriculture
The use of nitrogen (N) fertilizers in agriculture has led to water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. This is due to the limited natural availability of nitrogen in soils. Legumes can help solve this issue by forming symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria called rhizobia. These bacteria supply plants with nitrogen, reducing the need for fertilisers, but the mechanisms behind this process are not fully understood. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the SYM-EFFECT project focuses on understanding how secreted proteins from Sinorhizobium fredii HH103 enhances the symbiosis between rhizobia and plants. By using advanced techniques like genome-wide studies and protein analysis, it aims to improve this natural process, potentially leading to better crop yields.
Objective
Nitrogen (N) is vital for plants. However, its poor availability in soils has led to the widespread use of N fertilizers resulting in environmental problems like greenhouse gas emissions and water pollution. Legumes offer a sustainable alternative to N fertilizers by forming symbiotic relationships with N-fixing bacteria, known as rhizobia.
Many rhizobia possess a Type III Secretion System (T3SS), to deliver effector proteins into host plants to facilitate colonization and N-fixing symbiosis. Some T3SS effectors activate host plant symbiotic signaling, while others suppress plant defense responses. Furthermore, plant genotypes with specific Resistance (R) Proteins can detect rhizobial effectors, triggering immunity, and limiting colonization. Although T3SS effector-dependent nodulation holds potential for enhancing N-fixing interactions in agricultural settings, research remains limited.
Nodulation outer protein I (NopI) from rhizobia Sinorhizobium fredii HH103 enhances symbiosis in commercial soybean. However, there are gaps in our knowledge regarding NopI function, interactions with plant targets, and recognition by R proteins. In this MSCA fellowship, I will address these gaps using interdisciplinary approaches: Genome-wide association Studies, interactomics, and NopI structural determination. In addition, I will explore the custom engineering of rhizobial T3SS effectors for modifying symbiosis, an innovative and timely strategy for improving host-rhizobia compatibility.
The host lab will provide a unique opportunity for me to expand my knowledge into the “bacterial side” of the legume-rhizobia interaction while sharing my expertise in the “plant side”. I will have valuable networking opportunities and cutting-edge training in protein biochemistry and structural analysis, providing me with an interdisciplinary skills base to lead my own future research group focused on plant-symbiotic interactions and their practical applications in crop improvement.
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 microbiology bacteriology
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- natural sciences earth and related environmental sciences environmental sciences pollution
- natural sciences biological sciences biological behavioural sciences ethology biological interactions
- agricultural sciences agriculture, forestry, and fisheries agriculture grains and oilseeds legumes
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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.1.2 - 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-2023-PF-01
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41004 Sevilla
Spain
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