Host-microbe interactions involving microbial dark matter: Biology and evolution of a ubiquitous group of intracellular bacteria.

Información del proyecto

Hidden life

Identificador del acuerdo de subvención: 701421

DOI

10.3030/701421

Proyecto finalizado el 31 Agosto 2017

Fecha de la firma de la CE 18 Julio 2016

Fecha de inicio 1 Enero 2017

Fecha de finalización 31 Diciembre 2018

Financiado con arreglo a

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Coste total

€ 178 156,80

Aportación de la UE

€ 178 156,80

Coordinado por

UNIVERSITAT WIEN
Austria

Objetivo

The kingdom Bacteria represents the most widespread and diverse life form on Earth. On the 89 recognized bacteria phyla, 60 lack a cultivable representative, being thus considered as candidate phyla, or “microbial dark matter” (MDM). Accumulating evidence suggests that a substantial fraction of these elusive microbes is associated with (eukaryotic) hosts. The candidate phylum TM6 represents a major MDM phylum; its members are globally widespread and frequently detected in natural and man-made environments. The draft genome sequence of an uncultivated TM6 member suggested a potential symbiotic lifestyle with protist hosts. This was recently confirmed with the first TM6 isolate obtained by co-cultivation with amoebae. In line with these observations, I recently isolated and cultivated a free-living amoeba species naturally harbouring TM6 bacteria as endosymbionts, making it the first TM6 bacterium isolated with its natural host, and the second worldwide to be cultivated in laboratory conditions. While members of the TM6 phylum are ubiquitous and thought to be involved in major biological processes, their ecology and biology remain at this time unexplored. Through the use of state-of-the-art genomics, bioinformatics, super resolution microscopy, proteomics and innovative metatranscriptomics approaches, I aim to uncover the ecology and biology of TM6 bacteria. The proposed research, facilitated by my ability to cultivate TM6 bacteria within their natural hosts in laboratory conditions, is relevant and urgently needed, because i) it will improve our general understanding of MDM’s poorly known ecology, and ii) it will help uncover the lifestyle of a ubiquitous group of intracellular microbes, their strategies to infect and thrive within eukaryotic hosts.
Carrying out this project will undoubtedly place me in an excellent position to develop a successful and top-level career in the field of host-microbe interactions and symbioses.

Ámbito científico (EuroSciVoc)

• ciencias naturales › ciencias biológicas › bioquímica › biomoléculas › proteínas › proteómica
• ciencias naturales › ciencias biológicas › microbiología › bacteriología
• ciencias naturales › ciencias físicas › óptica › microscopía › microscopía de superresolución
• ciencias naturales › ciencias físicas › astronomía › astrofísica › materia oscura
• ciencias naturales › ciencias biológicas › ciencias biológicas del comportamiento › etología › interacción biológica

Palabras clave

• microbe-host interactions
• protists
• microbial dark matter

Programa(s)

• H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions PROGRAMA PRINCIPAL
  
• H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
  

Tema(s)

• MSCA-IF-2015-EF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-EF)
  

Régimen de financiación

MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)

Convocatoria de propuestas

H2020-MSCA-IF-2015

Coordinador

UNIVERSITAT WIEN

• Aportación neta de la UEn: € 178 156,80
• Dirección: UNIVERSITATSRING 1 ; 1010 WIEN ; Austria
• Región: Ostösterreich › Wien › Wien
• Tipo de actividad: Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
• Coste total: € 178 156,80