Objective
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) has significantly shaped the evolution and biology of prokaryotes. In eukaryotes, however, the dynamics, mechanisms and consequences of HGT are less well understood, mostly due to its comparatively low frequency and especially the lack of experimental model systems. Recently, I described a model system for studying eukaryotic HGT, consisting of entomopathogenic fungi of the Metarhizium genus. In this taxon, HGT occurs frequently for entire accessory chromosomes. This massive transfer of genetic material is highly specific, always involving the same chromosome, and is likely regulated by the chromosome itself. Using this unique model system, the MobiChrom project addresses key knowledge gaps of HGT in general and horizontal chromosome transfer specifically: What are the evolutionary dynamics of horizontal chromosome transfer? What are the consequences for the recipient fungus's interaction with the insect host? And what are the mechanisms mediating this specific horizontal transfer? First, I will evaluate the distribution of accessory chromosomes across five co-existing Metarhizium species to understand their transfer frequencies and the involved evolutionary dynamics, while identifying candidate genes involved in HGT or host interactions. Next, I will examine how these acquired accessory chromosomes influence the recipient fungus's interaction with the host, functionally analysing how genes on these mobile chromosomes affect pathogenicity. Finally, I will investigate the genetic mechanisms underlying horizontal transfer, identifying the signals responsible for the specific transfer of the mobile chromosome and the genes that regulate this process. Through these complementary study approaches, the MobiChrom project will advance our understanding of the impact of HGT on the biology of organisms and yield fundamental knowledge on the processes, dynamics and functional relevance of the HGT of entire chromosomes in microbial eukaryotes.
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 mycology
- natural sciences biological sciences zoology entomology
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics chromosomes
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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.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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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) ERC-2025-STG
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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.
24118 Kiel
Germany
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.