Project description
Surface-specific genes impact plant epidermal development
In multicellular organisms, cell identities are shaped by position-specific transcriptional programmes. In plants, the outer root cap at the root tip dies, exposing the epidermal cells. It has been identified that surface-specific genes are activated in these cells, likely under the influence of mechanical signals. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the SurfID project will identify surface-specific genes and explore the molecular mechanisms underlying them, as well as the impact of soil on epidermal development. It will test the hypothesis that turgor pressure-based mechanical signals regulate epidermal identity. The project will combine the host lab’s expertise in root-soil-water interactions and transcriptomics with advanced image analysis and biomechanics.
Objective
In multicellular organisms, cells acquire specialized functions by activating specific transcriptional programs (cell identities). Cell identity can be inherited from parental cells or acquired based on positional signals. What is the role of position in defining cell identity? In plants, the root tip provides a natural example of cell re-positioning: the outer cell layer (root cap) undergoes programmed cell death, uncovering cells from the underlying epidermal lineage, which become exposed at the organ surface. I identified a set of genes that are activated when epidermal lineage cells are positioned at the organ surface (surface-specific genes), potentially by mechanical signals (my preliminary data). Thus, I hypothesize that turgor-based mechanical signals regulate epidermal identity and development. To test this hypothesis, I will need to learn from the host lab expertise in the study of root-soil-water interactions and transcriptomics, and to combine it with my expertise in advanced image analysis techniques and biomechanics. I aim to identify novel surface-specific genes, the molecular mechanism controlling them and to study the effect of soil on epidermal development.
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)
Programme(s)
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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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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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(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
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NG7 2RD Nottingham
United Kingdom
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