Project description
Understanding the genetic basis of root sucker development
Certain seed plants reproduce clonally through root sucker formation, where root cells develop into hundreds of clonal offspring. Cardamine species can reproduce both sexually and asexually via this mechanism, but details of its formation and the balance between reproduction types remain unknown. The ERC-funded CLONAL project aims to develop a diploid Cardamine species as an experimental system to study the genetic basis of root sucker development at the single-cell level. The project will establish a genome assemblies, genetic transformation processes, and resources for forward and reverse genetics. The findings are expected to advance our understanding of clonality in complex eukaryotes and generate valuable resources for further investigation.
Objective
Clonal reproduction provides certain seed plants with the opportunity to spawn large numbers of clonal individuals in the absence of fertilization. Root sucker formation is a mechanism by which somatic cells of the root spontaneously change their developmental path and give rise to hundreds of clonal offspring. This trait is understudied owing to the scarcity of systems where genetics and advanced imaging can be employed for in-depth studies. Here, I propose to address this problem by developing a diploid Cardamine species as a powerful experimental system for this purpose. This species reproduces not only sexually, but also asexually via root suckers. How root suckers form and how the plant determines the balance between sexual and asexual reproduction is unknown. Close relatives include Arabidopsis thaliana, the best-characterized plant genetic system, and Cardamine hirsuta, a model system that we developed for comparative studies. Yet, neither of these two species form root suckers. I propose to leverage this difference between closely related species to elucidate, at single-cell level, the molecular genetic basis for root sucker development. To jump-start this work, I have in place a genome assembly, genetic transformation and resources for forward and reverse genetics approaches. I will also take advantage of intra-specific natural variation to identify the genetic basis for root sucker diversity and the basis for trade-offs between sexual and asexual reproduction. Ultimately, I aim to reconstruct the root sucker trait from its constituent genetic elements, and transfer it between species. Overall, I will deliver one of the most advanced studies in complex eukaryotes on the genetic basis for development and diversity of clonality – a key trait with significant effects on life history. I will also produce a wealth of resources for the community to further exploit this novel model system.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
- natural sciences biological sciences molecular biology molecular genetics
- natural sciences biological sciences developmental biology
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics mutation
- natural sciences biological sciences botany
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics genomes eukaryotic genomes
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.
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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-2024-ADG
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80539 MUNCHEN
Germany
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