Objective
Plant viruses transmitted by insect vectors are a major threat to food security, with tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) among the most damaging, causing up to 80% yield losses in tomato. Transmitted exclusively by the whitefly Bemisia tabaci, TYLCV manipulates both host plants and vectors to enhance its spread. Infected whiteflies display altered behaviours, including impaired host preference and prolonged feeding, but the molecular and neural mechanisms underlying these changes remain unknown. Current bulk transcriptomic approaches lack the resolution to identify the specific brain cell types and pathways driving virus-induced behavioural reprogramming.
This project pioneers the use of single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) in whitefly brains to resolve virus–vector interactions at great resolution. It will (1) map cell-specific transcriptional responses to TYLCV; (2) validate candidate genes and pathways using RNAi and CRISPR/Cas9; and (3) cross-validate conserved mechanisms across B. tabaci biotypes. Behavioural assays will link molecular changes directly to vector behaviour, establishing causal pathways by which TYLCV manipulates its insect vector.
Expected outcomes include the first whitefly brain cell atlas, identification of virus-responsive neural regulators, and potential RNAi/CRISPR-based vector control strategies. These advances will also provide a scientific basis for sustainable, targeted pest management. Societal and gender dimensions are integral, as women farmers in tropical regions, who provide most agricultural labour, are disproportionately affected by whitefly-transmitted viruses.
Hosted at the University of Greenwich, with long-standing expertise on whitefly and virus research, the fellowship integrates several disciplines. Results will directly support EU’s Green Deal and Farm-to-Fork strategies by reducing pesticide reliance, safeguarding tomato production, and contributing to economic prosperity and safe food production.
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 zoology entomology
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics RNA
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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)
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-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-2025-PF
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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.
SE10 9LS London
United Kingdom
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.