Objective
The current proposal revolves around the dehydration induced state, anhydrobiosis - a survival strategy found among a range of life-forms in face of severe desiccation. Anhydrobiosis is defined by a reversible shut-down of metabolism (biostasis) and it seems to involve adaptations at all levels of organismic organization. The current proposal uses tardigrades as a model to gain novel insight into molecular signatures underlying this unique biological phenomenon. Several molecules have been implicated in the anhydrobiotic mechanism; however, so far studies have been returning contradictory results with respect to the differential expression of genes in pre- and post-anhydrobiotic phases. Interestingly, our preliminary, unpublished data from Møbjerg lab suggest that there could be lineage specific strategies to anhydrobiosis. Consequently, I will use transcriptome sequencing (RNAseq) and ddPCR to reveal key-player genes and characterize functional pathways involved in i) different stages of anhydrobiosis of single tardigrade species and ii) between different evolutionary lineages within the phylum. The mentioned methods constitute the most important training element of my project. The overall goal of the proposal is to determine potential gene expression signatures for anhydrobiosis establishing a transcription profile that is i) characteristic of a particular physiological state and ii) that could possibly reflect the phylogenetic position of a taxon. My previous extensive experience on phylogenetic and molecular dating methods will, in this respect, be utilized to estimate the chronology of the possible diversification of anhydrobiosis within evolutionary lineages. My research will be conducted at the Møbjerg lab, which represents one of the world’s leading groups in the field of tardigrade biology. The group is situated at the Department of Biology, University Copenhagen, which is a superbly equipped institution with a high international profile.
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.
1165 KOBENHAVN
Denmark
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.