Objective
Zymoseptoria tritici is a rapidly evolving fungal pathogen and one of the most serious threats to wheat production globally, including Europe. The growing emergence of resistance to antifungal compounds poses a critical challenge, with major economic and environmental consequences. Understanding the molecular mechanisms driving resistance is essential to developing more effective and sustainable control strategies. Despite significant progress, major gaps remain in our knowledge of Z. tritici. The genetic basis and prevalence of hypermutator phenotypes that may accelerate adaptation remain unknown, as do the molecular mechanisms underlying transient, non-heritable resistance (epimutants). Furthermore, a functional CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing system, critical for mechanistic studies, has yet to be developed for this model organism. EpiGenZymo will address these challenges through an integrated genetic, population, and computational approach. The project will: (i) develop a robust CRISPR/Cas9 system for Z. tritici, (ii) explore the impact of chromosomal rearrangements induced by CRISPR-targeted disruption of conserved transposons, (iii) investigate the genetic basis of hypermutator phenotypes using panels of environmental isolates, and (iv) characterize the epigenetic mechanisms driving transient antifungal resistance. The fellowship will be led by Dr. Lax, an expert in the development of genome-editing tools and the study of epigenetics in fungi under the supervision of Prof. Daniel Croll, a world leader in Z. tritici population genomics and the study of transposon dynamics. It will equip Dr. Lax with advanced skills and establish him as a future leader in fungal genetics and epigenetics, laying the foundation for establishing his independent research group.
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.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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-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.
2000 Neuchatel
Switzerland
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.