Objective
Although various aspects of biomineralisation in corals have been studied for decades, the basic mechanism of precipitation of the aragonite skeleton remains enigmatic. Two parallel lines of inquiry have emerged: geochemist models of calcification that are directly related to seawater carbonate chemistry at thermodynamic equilibrium. Here, the role of the organisms in the precipitation reaction is largely ignored. The second line is based on biological considerations of the biomineralisation process, which focuses on models of biophysical processes far from thermodynamic equilibrium that concentrate calcium ions, anions and proteins responsible for nucleation in specific compartments. Recently, I identified and cloned a group of highly acidic proteins derived the common stony coral, Stylophora pistillata. All of the cloned proteins precipitate aragonite in seawater at pH 8.2 and 7.6 in-vitro. However, it is not at all clear if the expression of these proteins in-vivo is sufficient for the formation of an aragonite skeleton at seawater pH values below ~7.8. Here using a combination of molecular, biophysical, genomic, and cell biological approaches, we proposed to test the core hypothesis that, unless wounded or otherwise having skeletal material exposed directly to seawater, stony zooxanthellate corals will continue to calcify at pH values projected for the CO2 emissions scenarios for 2100.
Specifically, the objectives of Ca2Coral are to:
1) Use functional genomics to identify the key genes and proteins involved both in the organic matrix and skeleton formation in the adult holobiont and during its larval development.
2) Use a genetics approach to elucidate the roles of specific proteins in the biomineralisation process.
3) Use ultra-high resolution imaging and spectroscopic analysis at different pH levels to elucidate the biomineralisation pathways and mineral precursor in corals in the adult holobiont and during its larval development.
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 genetics
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry inorganic compounds
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry alkaline earth metals
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
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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.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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.
ERC-STG - Starting Grant
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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) ERC-2017-STG
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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.
31905 HAIFA
Israel
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.