Objective
Unpredictable environmental fluctuations are ubiquitous. They shape the evolution and biology of virtually all organisms. Yet, a causal, empirical understanding of how organisms adapt to such unpredictability remains elusive. This project proposes that cryptic phenotypic heterogeneity constitutes a fundamental evolutionary adaptation to unpredictable change. Cryptic phenotypic heterogeneity occurs when a single genotype generates a very small fraction of offspring with a phenotype distinct from the remaining offspring. The production of this small offspring fraction is genetically controlled; it lies well below the 0.1% threshold commonly applied to detect rare alleles, yet it remains far above the baseline mutation rate. I hypothesize that cryptic phenotypic heterogeneity confers a dual selective benefit: it minimizes evolutionary costs in stable environments while ensuring the presence of advantageous variants when conditions change unexpectedly. The central objective of this project is to test this adaptive benefit. I will utilize the interaction between a bacterial pathogen and antimicrobial compounds as a powerful, experimentally tractable model, for which cryptic heterogeneity in antimicrobial resistance has already been documented, providing an ideal entry point for an in-depth evolutionary analysis. This project integrates two experimental subprojects to dissect the process of adaptation to fluctuating conditions – based on evolution experiments, genomics, and functional genetics – and a third theory-driven subproject to generalize the new experimental insights through multivariate statistics and mathematical modelling. By combining experiments with theory, this project will establish a new general framework for understanding adaptation to environmental unpredictability. Beyond its fundamental impact, it will additionally illuminate how pathogens adapt to varying antimicrobial pressures, thereby informing the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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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-ADG
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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.