Project description
Nanotech sprays to stop crop viruses
Tomato and cucumber farmers face a growing threat from fast-spreading plant viruses that devastate harvests and strain global food supplies. Traditional solutions, such as breeding resistant varieties or using pesticides, are either too slow or environmentally harmful. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the IMPROVIR project explores spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS). This method uses double-stranded RNA molecules, sprayed onto plants, to switch off viral genes without genetic modification. Specifically, the research enhances RNA molecules with mobility tags and packages them into nanocomposites made of carbon dots or chitosan for greater stability and delivery. The goal is an eco-friendly alternative to pesticides that could protect tomatoes, peppers, and cucurbits from destructive viral outbreaks.
Objective
IMPROVIR is an interdisciplinary project combining nanotechnology, plant molecular biology, and plant virology to control two
damaging and emerging plant viruses, Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) and Cucurbit chlorotic yellows virus (CCVY) via an
environment-friendly approach called spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS). Currently, these two viruses are threatening production of
tomato, pepper and cucurbits across the globe especially in Europe. SIGS approach is based on RNA-interference (RNAi) technology
but it does not involve transgenic manipulation of the plants. The non-transgenic approach of SIGS is an innovative strategy that
relies on topical spraying of double stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) on plant surface that enter plant cells and tissues and eventually induce
gene silencing by the RNAi mechanism against specific plant pathogens and pests. We will improve the dsRNAs molecules for SIGS by
using a tRNAMet tag to enhance dsRNA mobility in the plant. Besides, the enhanced dsRNA molecules will be incorporated into either
carbon dot or chitosan-derived nanoparticles in the form of nanocomposites to: (1) increase the stability of the dsRNAs on plant
surfaces and (2) increase the delivery of dsRNAs into plants. This approach is fast (compared to time-consuming approaches such as
plant breeding, genetic transformation and introduction of resistant varieties), environment-friendly (no residue in products and in
environment as opposed to chemical pesticides) and publicly acceptable (no need for genetic transformation and modification). The
performance of the dsRNA:NP nanocomposites in controlling those virus diseases will be assessed by evaluating disease progress,
virus titers and siRNA production in treated vs. non-treated infected plants. In a non-academic placement at Kimitec, a private biotech
company in Spain, the technologies developed at IFAPA (host institution) during the project will be applied to control another
important plant pathogen, Phytophthora sp.
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 virology
- agricultural sciences agriculture, forestry, and fisheries agriculture horticulture fruit growing
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics RNA
- engineering and technology nanotechnology nano-materials
- engineering and technology materials engineering nanocomposites
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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)
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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
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-2024-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.
41012 Sevilla
Spain
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.