Objective
Published data indicate that mitochondria originated only once in eukaryote evolution from an endosymbiotic bacterium of still debated evolutionary affiliation.
I will be trained in, and use, sophisticated maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic methods to test the hypothesis that contemporary members of the Ricketsialles, a group of important obligate intracellular bacteria causing major diseases, are the nearest relatives of mitochondria.
I will then use the same methods to test whether (or not) eukaryotic genes for non-mitochondrial energy metabolism originated from the mitochondrial endosymbiont, as predicted by competing hypotheses for eukaryote origins. During the transition from endosymbiont to organelle the emerging organelle acquired the ability to import host-nucelar-encoded proteins.
I will use classical cell biology and biochemistry to investigate the protein import machinery of highly reduced mitochondrial variants found in parasitic protozoa affecting human health. By doing so, I will illuminate how these organelles function and also provide insight into the minimal requirement for protein import into an organelle. My project will involve a flexible and multidisciplinary approach with training in molecular cell biology and sequence analysis.
I will do this work at Newcastle University where there are excellent facilities with Prof. Martin Embley, an expert on mitochondria-derived organelles and phylogenetics. My own expertise in molecular biology and biogenesis of rickettsiae and mitochondria complements that of Prof. Embley, and will ensure a productive and timely synergy.
My project is innovative and original and addresses Life Sciences Priority (LSH-2003-1.2.2-3) to provide basic information on the fundamental biology of mitochondria as vital eukaryotic organelles and obligate endosymbiotic rickettsiae as their bacterial relatives.
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 microbiology bacteriology
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology protozoology
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- natural sciences biological sciences cell biology
- natural sciences biological sciences molecular biology
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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.
FP6-2005-MOBILITY-7
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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.
IIF - Marie Curie actions-Incoming International Fellowships
Coordinator
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
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.