Project description
The role of symbiotic bacteria in phytoplankton protection
Symbiotic bacteria play a key role in the health of various organisms, often producing bioactive molecules that benefit their hosts. In aquatic environments, phytoplankton is supported by diverse bacterial communities that may influence their interactions with other microbes. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the PEERS project will investigate how specific bacterial symbionts help phytoplankton defend against fungal parasites by producing antifungal compounds. Researchers will analyse bacterial diversity in phytoplankton from the Baltic Sea and identify key antifungal molecules. They will also explore new bioactive compounds with biotechnological potential.
Objective
Symbionts are essential components of healthy organisms, assuming functions often mediated by chemical communication. In aquatic environments, microbial primary producers such as phytoplankton possess complex epibiotic bacterial communities that contribute to their physiology by secretion of bioactive molecules. However, the role of symbiotic bacteria in mediating the host’s interaction with other coexisting microbes is poorly studied. PEERS’ aim is to unravel the key symbionts of phytoplankton mediating host interaction with zoosporic fungal parasites through the biosynthesis of antifungal compounds. Using a tripartite interaction model involving phytoplankton host, bacterial symbionts and fungal parasites, we will study (i) the diversity of bacteria associated with healthy and diseased host populations, and (ii) the symbionts’ biosynthesis of antifungal compounds. This study integrates molecular ecology, metabolomics, and bioactivity screenings coupled with advanced statistics and data processing methods. Aquatic microbial communities will be collected from the Baltic Sea during the secondment, where the phytoplankton-host and parasite interactions during fungal disease outbreaks are well documented. PEERS will address a fundamental ecological question about the role of symbiotic bacteria in driving host-fungal parasite interaction in the aquatic environment, providing critical knowledge for understanding future variations in aquatic biomes under current environmental changes. Additionally, it provides a perfect model system to discover antifungal chemical signals with industrial applications. PEERS offers cutting-edge training opportunities to generate results at the forefront of innovation in aquatic ecology and biotechnology. Moreover, it offers transdisciplinary networking possibilities supporting a One Health research approach, with significant impact on my career progression.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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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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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
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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.
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-2024-PF-01
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00185 Roma
Italy
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