Objective
There are numerous evolutionary origins of multicellularity. Yet, only in a few cases was the origin of multicellularity also followed by an enormous diversification of multicellular forms and functions. This raises the question what determines the evolvability of multicellular phenotypes, i.e. their capacity to undergo evolutionary change? I will study the evolvability of one of the simplest forms of bacterial multicellularity: colony formation in the Bacilli. Despite their simplicity, Bacilli can express a wide range of colony morphologies. The physical forces that shape these morphologies are well understood. In addition, there is a detailed understanding of the gene regulatory network (GRN) underlying colony formation and ample of genomic data. I will study how the GRN underlying multicellularity affects its evolvability. First, I will determine which evolutionary changes in the GRN are associated with the diversification of colony morphologies. To this end, I will construct a phylogenetic tree of the Bacillales, compare all genomes and identify the genetic changes that correlate with changes in colony morphology. Second, I will determine if and how these genetic changes give rise to changes in colony morphology. I will construct Bacillus subtilis mutants, which harbor the identified genetic changes, and examine how their colonies develop. Since colonies come about through the feedback between cells and their environment, I will use a unique combination of state-of-the-art biotechnologies to trace the transcriptomic and environmental changes in the colony over time. This will give an extraordinary detailed account of colony development in the Bacilli. Finally, I will examine why the morphological diversification of colonies was favored by selection, by studying the functional properties of colonies. Altogether, this will be the first comprehensive analysis on the evolvability of multicellularity, thereby giving a unique glimpse on how evolution innovates.
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 evolutionary biology
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics genomes
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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.
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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 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)
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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-2016
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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.
8006 Zurich
Switzerland
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.