Objective
Modern cell biology rests upon the power of studying pure cultures, often in shaking flasks. However, in nature cell groups are complex systems that frequently contain genetically-distinct populations. This genetic diversity ranges from point mutations that separate normal and cancerous tissue, through different strains of malaria in a host, to bacterial biofilms that contain a myriad of species. My research focuses on how genetic variability affects and explains the biology of cell groups, using microbes as a model system. The presence of different genotypes in a cell group leads to the potential for strong interactions. It is not sufficient, therefore, to study single genotypes alone; we need a systems biology of cell groups. Towards this aim, we combine the theories of social evolution and collective behaviour with the empirical study of microbes in two main approaches. The first focuses on the effects of mutation-driven diversity on a key bacterial trait - polymer secretion - that is central to bacterial life. The second approach focuses on the genetic diversity that arises when strains and species mix together. Here, we are developing a set of assays to investigate the effects of strain and species mixing centred upon Pseudomonas aeruginosa; a pathogenic bacterium that forms biofilms in the cystic fibrosis lung. We combine biofilm assays with transcriptomics to characterize the mechanisms that allow P. aeruginosa to invade environments containing benign species that might otherwise afford protection to a host. By taking a stepwise strategy that systematically adds back components of the physical and social environment, we aim to break down the daunting complexity of natural microbe communities. The ultimate goal is to build a predictive framework that goes from the mechanisms of social interaction among cells up to the emergent properties of natural communities.
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.
- medical and health sciences health sciences infectious diseases malaria
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology bacteriology
- natural sciences biological sciences cell biology
- natural sciences chemical sciences polymer sciences
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics mutation
You need to log in or register to use this function
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.
ERC-2009-StG
See other projects for this call
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.
Host institution
OX1 2JD Oxford
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.