Objective
Zinc and copper are essential nutrients required for many biological processes (e.g. cofactor in many proteins). Despite their importance, excess Zn and Cu are toxic. For this reason, organisms have evolved with mechanisms of metal homeostasis that tightly control the intracellular level of metals when extra-cellular concentrations change. Genetic adaptation towards higher Zn and Cu tolerance was found in ectomycorrhizal fungi of the genus Suillus, originating from highly metal contaminated areas. A better understanding of the sub-cellular compartmentalization of these metals in the fungal cells would give insight into the tolerance mechanism, since the intracellular localisation of the metals and the chemical form wherein they appear will determine the toxicity of the metal for the ectomycorrhizal fungus and eventually for its host plant. First, Zn and Cu will be localised with the commonly used techniques; electron microscopy in combination with energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis.
To characterize the species and spatial distribution of Zn-Cu within the fungus and plant, synchrotron based techniques will be used; including X-ray fluorescence and K-edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy, all performed to micrometer-scale resolution. Since we have no experience with the latter techniques we will collaborate with Dr Sarret (LGIT, Universite J.Fourier Grenoble). She has a lot of experience in the structural determination of metals by EXAFS spectroscopy in plants and fungi. Bulk EXAFS measurements will take place at the European Synchrotron Radiation facility in Grenoble, on the French beam line FAME.
The subcellular localisation and speciation of Zn-Cu will be investigated at the micron scale by synchrotron-based x-ray microfluorescenc e and uEXAFS spectroscopy. Such technique is available on beam line 10.3.2 at the ALS synchrotron in Berkeley (USA), where the LGIT have access through a 3-year approved program.
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 chemical sciences organic chemistry organic acids
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology mycology
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy electron microscopy
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules carbohydrates
- natural sciences physical sciences optics spectroscopy
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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.
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.
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.
FP6-2004-MOBILITY-5
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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.
Coordinator
GRENOBLE
France
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.