Project description
Cellular drivers of cold tolerance in birds
The gut microbiome is essential for ecology and energy metabolism. However, its interaction with mitochondria in wild animals, particularly under energy-demanding conditions, remains largely unstudied. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the MIMIFLEX project will explore how interactions between the microbiome and mitochondria influence cold resistance in Great Tits (Parus major). This study is the first to examine these interactions in wild birds. By manipulating the microbiome and mitochondrial function in Great Tits, the project will assess their effects on cold resistance phenotypes. The study aims to connect cellular mechanisms with animal physiology and pave the way for new research on microbiome-mitochondria crosstalk in ecology.
Objective
The importance of the gut microbiome has become evident in shaping the ecology and evolution of organisms. Microbiome has been connected to maintaining body temperature in exposure, which can mediate changes at molecular levels and modulate metabolic pathways related to energy regulation. Mitochondria, the powerhouse of cells, is responsible for energy production but also produces heat. Although crosstalk between the gut microbiome and mitochondria has been documented in biomedical research, to my knowledge, no studies have addressed whether this interaction is also observable in wild animals and what kind of effect it has in energy-demanding situations. Also, existing studies on wild systems rely almost completely on correlative data. I will study the crosstalk between microbiome and mitochondria and its effects on the phenotypic flexibility of cold resistance in Great tits. To my knowledge, this is the first time microbiome-mitochondria interactions are studied in wild birds. By experimentally manipulating the microbiome and mitochondrial function in wild Great tits I’ll be able to study the causal effects of the experiments on the cold resistance phenotypes of the birds. Thus, MIMIFLEX will integrate cellular-level mechanisms with the physiology and phenotype of the animal. Dr. Ruuskanen’s research group has profound experience in both, studying microbiome and mitochondria which complements my expertise in physiological ecology, allowing me to develop new research skills and opening a two-way knowledge transfer. Throughout the project, I will gain experience in conducting excellent research, but also in transferable skills such as project management, leadership, acquiring funding and communicating the results. Therefore, this fellowship would help me to solidify my skillset to establish independence as a researcher, open up potential future collaboration and establish a new branch of research on microbiome-mitochondria crosstalk in ecology.
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 ecology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology
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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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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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40100 Jyvaskyla
Finland
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