Project description
The evolutionary dynamics of bacteriophage parasites and bacteria
Bacteriophages, or phages, are viruses that infect bacteria and shape microbial evolution. However, phages themselves can be parasitised by mobile genetic elements called satellite elements. These lack the ability to replicate independently and hijack phages to propagate. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the TriSH project aims to investigate how specific satellite elements interact with phages and evolve within Escherichia coli and Klebsiella hosts. Researchers will utilise experimental and computational approaches to uncover the genetic basis of these interactions and their evolutionary consequences. Project results will enhance our understanding of satellite biology and pave the way towards novel tools in phage therapy and biotechnology.
Objective
Phages, viruses that infect bacteria, play key roles in shaping bacterial fitness and evolution. At the same time, phages themselves are parasitized by satellites - mobile genetic elements (MGEs) lacking genes for autonomous replication but that can hijack (helper) phages for their own propagation. Despite billions of years of coevolution between satellites, phages and bacteria, we know little about how selection affects these elements and their interactions. Recent studies showed that P4-like satellites are diverse and widespread across distant bacterial genomes, but outside a few P2-like prophages described decades ago, the actual range of phages that P4-like elements can hijack is unknown. The aim of my project is to decipher the mobilization potential of P4-like satellites, study the genetic basis of this mobilization and reveal how selection acts on satellites, phages and bacteria when they coevolve. With access to over 200 strains of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella, I will combine experimental and computational analyses to shed light on the genetic and evolutionary interactions between P4-like satellites, their helpers and their common bacterial hosts. Leveraging my expertise in microbial evolution and molecular biology, this project will introduce new expertise in satellite biology, bioinformatics, and coevolutionary microbiology. This project will provide new models to explore satellite-helper dynamics, with potential applications in biotechnology and phage therapy. At the Institut Pasteur, I will collaborate in an interdisciplinary environment within the Department of Genomes and Genetics, receiving outstanding academic training with numerous opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations. This provides unique prospects for my career development towards independency. Research findings will be published in high-impact journals, open-access, and presented at international conferences, with outreach efforts to engage a broad audience.
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.
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.
-
HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
Topic(s)
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.
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
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
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
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
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.
75724 Paris
France
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.