Secondary metabolites of Microcystis aeruginosa (Cyanobacteria): study of their production and role by a metabolomic approach

Project Information

CYANOMIC

Grant agreement ID: 301244

Project closed

Start date 1 September 2012

End date 31 August 2015

Funded under

• Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013)

Total cost € 280 017,60

EU contribution € 280 017,60

Coordinated by

UNIVERSITE DE RENNES I
France

Objective

Cyanobacteria are a prolific source of diverse bioactive secondary metabolites. However, some of them are toxic and have a deleterious impact on human health and ecosystem sustainability. But others with potent biological activities have gathered considerable attention due to their potential therapeutic and agrochemical applications. Unfortunately, the biotic factors governing the production of these cyanobacterial secondary metabolites are poorly understood and their ecological roles have largely remained elusive.
To advance knowledge on these topics, we propose to combine innovative ecophysiological experiments with cutting-edge metabolomic and modeling approaches. The CYANOMIC project will focus on Microcystis aeruginosa, which has a worldwide distribution and has been implicated in numerous intoxications due to its capacity to produce microcystins (MC), the most widely encountered toxin in freshwater ecosystems. The metabolomes of the MC-producing M. aeruginosa strain and its non-MC-producing mutant will be compared in the presence and absence of their associated bacteria. The isolation and characterization of their metabolites will allow us to study the dynamics of their production with the aim to provide the data necessary to produce a model that predicts the potential toxicity of a Microcystis bloom and the cellular communication between cyanobacterial strains as well as with bacteria and with surrounding microorganisms.
The CYANOMIC project aims to help a researcher broaden her knowledge and skills through the study of cyanobacterial secondary metabolites production. The tailored workpackage will produce a young scientist able to help lead European research in this important area. In addition to being a stepping-stone to a future career in science, it will provide an invaluable opportunity to help share the knowledge between experts in cyanobacterial ecology and to strengthen the link between Europe and USA in this timely and significant scientific area.

Fields of science

• natural sciences › biological sciences › microbiology › bacteriology
• natural sciences › biological sciences › ecology › ecosystems › freshwater ecosystems

Programme(s)

• FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013)

Topic(s)

• FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IOF - Marie Curie Action: "International Outgoing Fellowships for Career Development"

Call for proposal

FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IOF
See other projects for this call

Funding Scheme

MC-IOF - International Outgoing Fellowships (IOF)

Coordinator

UNIVERSITE DE RENNES I

• EU contribution: € 280 017,60
• Address: RUE DU THABOR 2 ; 35065 RENNES CEDEX ; France
• Region: Bretagne › Bretagne › Ille-et-Vilaine
• Activity type: Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
• Administrative Contact: Yolaine Bompays (Ms.)
• Total cost: No data