Objective
Grafting, one of the oldest agricultural practices, can induce heritable epigenetic modifications by transmitting small RNAs (sRNAs) from rootstocks to scions. These mobile signals can reprogram the germline, opening possibilities for targeted epigenome changes by grafting. Harnessing this process could transform crop breeding by generating stable, heritable traits without genetic modification, thus sidestepping GMO restrictions. The project GRAFT will pioneer the systematic exploration of graft-induced heritable epigenetic modifications, using tomato both as a model system and globally important crop. Building on our unpublished discoveries that root-derived sRNAs induce epigenome changes in pollen, we will dissect the mechanisms, timing, and stability of graft-induced epigenetic changes. We aim to: (i) map the mobility of sRNAs between tissues and across species; (ii) determine whether graft-induced DNA methylation is transmitted to progeny; (iii) test the role of demethylation pathways in restricting inheritance; (iv) engineer rootstocks capable of inducing epigenetic marks in scions; and (v) explore whether stress-induced sRNAs in heterografts confer heritable stress tolerance. This project is groundbreaking because it establishes a mechanistic understanding for how grafting can be used to reprogram the plant germline, providing a roadmap for non-transgenic epigenetic breeding. It proposes a high-risk/high-gain strategy to exploit grafting as a non-transgenic breeding tool, expanding the breeder’s toolkit and offering a path to climate-resilient crops. If successful, it will establish a new principle: that rootstocks can be engineered to reprogram the germline of grafted plants, enabling durable, heritable improvements in stress resilience and yield stability. In addition to its scientific impact, this project will also provide world-class traininWe aim to elucidate the mechanism by which mobile siRNAs change traits and how to leverage this for crop improvement.
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.
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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.
80539 MUNCHEN
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.