Objective The pathogenic bacterium Xylella fastidiosa threatens European agricultural and natural flora through the loss of economically, environmentally and culturally important host plants such as grape, olive and oak. This bacterium was first detected in Italy in 2013 and then in Corsica,France. Although X. fastidiosa is a generalist pathogen, infecting over 300 plant species, only a few plant species develop disease symptoms, and these infections always depend on a specific pathogen genotype. Although X. fastidiosa has been studied for over 80 years in the U.S.A. the determinants of X. fastidiosa host specificity remain unknown. In other words, it is not know why genotypes cause disease in one plant species but not another. Understanding what constrains X. fastidiosa host specificity is of paramount importance because it is currently not possible to predict what plant species are susceptible in Europe; this represents a major knowledge gap and limiting an adequate analysis of the risks posed by X. fastidiosa. This project aims to answer this important question by studying populations of the bacterium that are already host specific as well as one epidemic population exploiting a novel plant species in the EU. This will be done through collaboration between U.C. Berkeley -a leading expert on this pathogen- and BGPI, a French institute with excellent expertise in population genomics and interdisciplinary research. Besides reinforcing the link between the U.S.A. and European research on a subject of major importance, this project will result in the training of a European expert on this emerging pathogen. It will also broaden the Experienced Researcher's knowledge in plant-pathogen interactions. Finally, this project intends to disseminate knowledge on X. fastidiosa to the European society through (i) a collaboration with the French non-academic institute ANSES, (ii) a website dedicated to this pathogen and (iii) a collaboration with European farmers and agronomical schools. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsnatural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiologybacteriology Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2015-GF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-GF) Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2015 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF-GF - Global Fellowships Coordinator INSTITUT NATIONAL DE RECHERCHE POUR L'AGRICULTURE, L'ALIMENTATION ET L'ENVIRONNEMENT Net EU contribution € 246 668,40 Address 147 rue de l'universite 75007 Paris France See on map Region Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Paris Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00 Partners (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all Partner Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement. THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA United States Net EU contribution € 0,00 Address Franklin street 1111 12 floor 94607 Oakland ca See on map Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 160 130,40