Objective
The fellowship focuses on bringing a talented young researcher to a cutting edge systems biology institute in the EU to develop and utilize novel multidisciplinary approaches to better understand seed biology. Innovative imaging, biophysical and computational approaches in conjunction with the integration of post-genomics biology will be used to develop a multi-scale computational model describing the germination of seeds. This key plant developmental process is integral to agriculture and human existence, while the seed trade is worth over $30 billion annually. Novel genetic regulators of seed germination will be uncovered through the functional genomic validation of bioinformatic predictions based on gene interaction networks and machine learning algorithms. Prior to the expansion of cells in the embryo elongation zone, a localized accumulation of starch has been identified. This metabolite may provide the energy and solute necessary for cell expansion during germination, and manipulation of this pathway presents the opportunity to increase seed vigor and field performance. These hypotheses will be examined through the phenotypic characterization of seeds with altered starch synthesis and breakdown. The combined use of confocal microscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy will enable the biophysical properties of expanding embryo cells to be determined. These biophysical parameters will be integrated with their regulation by newly identified genetic regulators of germination and their modification by starch metabolism, leading to the development a multi-scale computational model describing seed germination. This model will significantly enhance our understanding of this developmental event and contribute to the production of higher quality seeds, increasing agricultural yields and food security in a time of rapid climatic change.
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 nutrition
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy confocal microscopy
- natural sciences earth and related environmental sciences atmospheric sciences climatology climatic changes
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine embryology
- natural sciences computer and information sciences artificial intelligence machine learning
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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.
FP7-PEOPLE-2009-IIF
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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
NG7 2RD Nottingham
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.