Objective
In flowering plants, DNA methylation reprogramming occurs in meiocytes through RNA-directed DNA methylation pathway (RdDM) mediated by 24-nucleotide small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). My host lab discovered that these siRNAs are transcribed from transposable element (TE) in tapetal cells (tapetum) and transported to male meiocyte. In meiocytes, these siRNAs induce methylation at genes (MetGenes) with similar (but not identical) sequences, and thereby regulate MetGene expression and promote meiosis. The ability of siRNAs to target loci with reduced sequence homology is unique to meiocytes: in tapetum and somatic tissues, RdDM only targets TE with perfect sequence homology to siRNAs. The broad-targeting competence of tapetum siRNAs allows the targeting of MetGenes and fast-evolving TE in meiocytes, however, it is unclear how the broad targeting is achieved and comfined to the meiocytes. My preliminary work discovered several meiocyte-specific RdDM homologues, which I hypothesize to permit siRNA mismatch targeting. Furthermore, I found that RdDM mutants are hypersensitive to heat stress in meiocyte development, suggesting RdDM mediates heat stress response in meiocytes. Harnessing single-cell multi-omics, biochemistry and bio-imaging approaches, I aim to: 1) identity germline-specific RdDM homologues responsible for MetGenes targeting; 2) decipher how methylation of MetGenes are mediated by lncRNAs; and 3) uncover how the methylation reprogramming of MetGenes contributes to mediating male germline thermotolerance. My discoveries will elucidate essential siRNA regulatory mechanisms that mediate intergenerational heredity in plants and establish a novel epigenetic paradigm in how meiocytes perceive and respond to heat stress, essential knowledge for building crop resilience under climate change. This in-depth knowledge of cell- and site-specific RdDM pathway will also inform the generation of novel crop improvement tools by the engineering of methylation at gene families.
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
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics DNA
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics RNA
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics heredity
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics epigenetics
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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)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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-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.
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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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.
3400 KLOSTERNEUBURG
Austria
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.