Project description
A closer look at the origins of photosynthesis in eukaryotes
For billions of years, life on Earth has evolved through complex partnerships between organisms. One of these was the origin of plastids (tiny cellular structures that enable photosynthesis in plants and algae). Scientists traditionally viewed plastid evolution as a single event in which a eukaryotic cell engulfed a cyanobacterium, leading to genetic integration. However, recent evidence suggests a process involving multiple transient interactions. In this context, the ERC-funded KLEPTOS project will study kleptoplasty, a rare phenomenon where some microbes temporarily steal and use plastids from their prey. By identifying new kleptoplastidic species and analysing their genetic and biochemical integration, KLEPTOS will shed light on the steps that shaped modern photosynthetic eukaryotes.
Objective
Plastids, the photosynthetic organelles of eukaryotes, arose via endosymbiosis of cyanobacteria by a eukaryotic host and were subsequently spread across eukaryotic diversity by additional endosymbioses. These events greatly impacted the evolution of eukaryotes, introducing a novel lifestyle and shaping their diversity, yet we still know very little about the steps taking place during plastid endosymbiosis. The traditional view considers this a straightforward uptake and retention of the symbiont that later becomes the plastid, followed by genetic integration. Recently, profoundly different models proposing several, transient interactions with a variety of endosymbionts that transfer genes to the host before fixation of the final endosymbiont have gained traction. Kleptoplastidic species, lineages that transiently retain and use plastids from their prey, are at the centre of this paradigm shift, providing the first insights into the order of steps during plastid endosymbiosis. Kleptoplasty is rare, primarily found in a group of microbial eukaryotes, and the few kleptoplastidic taxa known have not been studied in the context of endosymbiosis. I propose here to resolve the process of plastid endosymbiosis using kleptoplasty as a unique model by addressing these questions: 1) What is the hidden diversity of kleptoplastidic taxa? 2) What is the level of genetic integration in these taxa? 3) What is the composition of the plastid proteome in a kleptoplastidic lineage? 4) How does the kleptoplast and control of the kleptoplast change during integration? To answer these questions, I will combine a novel imaging-based screen for kleptoplastidic lineages with high-throughput transcriptomics and phylogenetics and provide the first plastid proteome of a kleptoplastidic lineage. This project will not only advance our shifting understanding of endosymbiosis, but the methods developed will provide a foundation for future studies on the evolution of microbial eukaryotes.
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.
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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)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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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) ERC-2024-COG
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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.
370 05 Ceske Budejovice
Czechia
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