Project description
Giant viruses in Arctic snow
Climate change is impacting polar and alpine ecosystems by altering snow and ice surfaces through algal blooms, which, in turn, affect nutrient cycling. The role of giant viruses in these ecosystems remains unclear. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the SNOWGIANTS project will investigate giant viruses associated with snow algal blooms in Arctic environments. The project aims to uncover novel virus genomes using high-throughput metagenomic and metatranscriptomic analyses, to study virus-host interactions, and identify cold-adapted viral enzymes with biotechnological potential. Expected outcomes include the discovery of at least 50 new giant virus genomes and the characterisation of 10 novel enzymes with industrial applications. These findings will deepen our understanding of viruses in polar microbial ecosystems and drive biotechnological innovation.
Objective
Climate change is transforming polar and alpine ecosystems, significantly affecting snow and ice surfaces through microbial activities like algal blooms. Snow algal blooms not only alter surface reflectivity but also play a crucial role in nutrient cycling and microbial community dynamics. However, the role of viruses, particularly giant viruses, in these ecosystems remains poorly understood. This project aims to bridge this knowledge gap by investigating the diversity, ecology, and metabolic potential of giant viruses associated with snow algal blooms in Arctic environments.
The primary objectives of this project are to (1) uncover novel giant virus genomes through high-throughput metagenomic and metatranscriptomic analyses, (2) characterize virus-host interactions and their role in biogeochemical processes, and (3) identify cold-adapted viral enzymes with potential biotechnological applications. This will be achieved through a combination of field sampling, next-generation sequencing, advanced bioinformatics pipelines, and laboratory-based enzyme characterization techniques.
The expected outcomes include the discovery of at least 50 novel giant virus genomes and the characterization of 10 novel enzymes with industrial potential. These findings will advance our understanding of viral roles in polar microbial ecosystems and unlock new possibilities for biotechnological innovations.
This Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowship at Nord University will be instrumental in my development as an independent researcher in environmental virology and biotechnology. It will enhance my skills in cryosphere microbiology, advanced genomics, and enzyme characterization, while fostering my abilities in project management, interdisciplinary collaboration, and science communication. The project's unique blend of basic and applied research will position me at the forefront of an emerging field with significant scientific and societal implications.
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
- natural sciences biological sciences ecology
- natural sciences earth and related environmental sciences physical geography glaciology
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics genomes
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins enzymes
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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)
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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.
8026 BODO
Norway
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.