Objective
The distribution of the soil bacterial membrane lipids “branched glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers” (brGDGTs) in geological records has been used to reconstruct palaeoclimatic conditions, specifically the mean annual air temperature and soil pH. However, the large error associated with the most recent brGDGT-based calibration, makes this method unsuitable for determining absolute temperatures. The fellow aims to perform geochemical and microbiological work that will result in the improvement of this palaeotemperature proxy. Firstly, an improved analytical method will be used, targeting not only fifteen brGDGTs that are currently used for palaeoclimate reconstructions, but including an additional fifteen brGDGT lipids, and a suite of precursors, whose diversity in soils is unstudied. This extended dataset will be measured in a well-studied, naturally (geothermally) warmed soil, linking the observed lipid distributions directly to the measured in-situ soil temperature (covering a 0-35°C gradient). Furthermore, the applicability of the novel temperature proxy proposed, will be tested in a well-studied dataset of European soils, covering a latitudinal temperature gradient. Although environmental studies point towards the Acidobacteria as the source organism, only one brGDGT has been found in an Acidobacterial culture so far and brGDGTs are still considered to be “orphan lipids”. Using a novel approach to identify the source organism, the fellow proposes to study the microbial community using a next-generation sequencing method. Tracking the patterns in (Acido)bacterial distribution along a temperature gradient, will enable the fellow to ascertain if the changes in the brGDGT pool are caused by a shift in the microbial community, or are caused by phenotypic plasticity. This interdisciplinary project will improve the accuracy and interpretation of lipid-based palaeoclimate reconstructions and will extend the applicant’s scientific experience and career perspectives.
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 earth and related environmental sciences palaeontology paleoclimatology
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics DNA
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules lipids
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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.
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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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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.
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.
MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF
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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.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2015
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
2000 Antwerpen
Belgium
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.