Objective
Bacterial cooperation underlies many bacterial traits of practical interest. Many social traits of bacteria are regulated by inter-cellular signalling pathways, generally known as quorum sensing (QS). QS has been proposed as novel target for anti-virulence treatment. To this aim, there is a need to better understand the mechanisms of QS and their social and evolutionary impact.
While the basic schemes of a single quorum sensing pathway acting in homogenous conditions are well understood, the system’s level function of QS regulatory networks can only be appreciated by considering the role phenotypic and genetic variability has on shaping the network’s structure and function. Phenotypic variability in complex communities may arise from division of labour between cells and environmental gradients and substantially impact the way cells secrete and interpret QS signals. Genetic variability in QS networks may lead to multiple social relations between cells of different genotypes including cross-talks, interception, manipulation and quenching of signals. This will affect the population structure and performance.
The proposed project will study the function of QS signalling in heterogeneous communities. Phenotypic variability and its impact on QS function will be studied in a spatially inhomogeneous cooperating system. Genetic variability will be studied at the macro and micro-scales in a bacterial species showing rapid diversification of their QS networks. Finally, we will rationally design strains with superior ‘cheating’ strategies that can invade and eliminate a cooperative population.
Throughout this project, we will use a combination of experimental techniques from microbiology, socio-biology, genetics and microscopy together with mathematical analysis tools from systems biology, population genetics and game theory, to study bacterial cooperation and its dependence on the underlying communication network, social complexity and environmental variation.
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 genetics
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology bacteriology
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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.
ERC-2011-StG_20101109
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
69978 Tel Aviv
Israel
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.