Objective
Security of our future food supply will depend on our improved understanding of how plants regulate photosynthesis in response to a changing environment. Carotenoids are important for photosynthetic efficiency because they expand the range of wavelengths for photosynthesis and protect the photosystems against photo-oxidative damage. As environmental light and temperature cues are major regulators of carotenoids, increased knowledge of these signaling pathways will assist future crop improvement programs. This project aims to combine modeling with experimentation to determine the molecular mechanisms through which light and temperature modulate carotenogenesis, providing novel avenues for efforts to improve photosynthesis in the face of environmental change. A major driving force for carotenoid production is the transcriptional control of Phytoene synthase (PSY). The phytochrome photoreceptors promote PSY expression, while the PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTORS (PIFs) act as transcriptional repressors. This antagonistic module provides a simple but robust system to modulate carotenoid biosynthesis. The Giberellin regulated DELLA proteins also participate in the light control of carotenogenesis by impairing PIF1 capacity to bind to the PSY promoter. However, in the light, not only de-repressing effects, but active induction of PSY takes place, hinting at the existence of positive regulators of the pathway. Preliminary evidence points at LONG HYPOCOTYL 5 (HY5) for this role. Many phytochrome dependent responses are strongly influenced by temperature, suggesting a convergence of signaling at the molecular level. Because PIFs, DELLAs and HY5 are temperature responsive, they could be integration nodes for environmental control of carotenogenesis. We aim to characterize they key molecular events, the dynamics and emerging properties of the signaling for carotenoid production as a basis for future development of crops resilient to climate alterations.
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 biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- social sciences sociology governance environmental governance
- agricultural sciences agriculture, forestry, and fisheries agriculture
- natural sciences biological sciences botany
You need to log in or register to use this function
We are sorry... an unexpected error occurred during execution.
You need to be authenticated. Your session might have expired.
Thank you for your feedback. You will soon receive an email to confirm the submission. If you have selected to be notified about the reporting status, you will also be contacted when the reporting status will change.
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-2012-CIG
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.
MC-CIG - Support for training and career development of researcher (CIG)
Coordinator
EH8 9YL Edinburgh
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.