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Structural and Functional Architectures of Multi-Kingdom Microbial Consortia Colonizing Plant Roots

Objective

The roots of healthy plants are colonized by a rich diversity of microbes, forming multi-kingdom microbial consortia that impact plant productivity. Despite the expected high connectivity between root microbiota members, our understanding of microbe-microbe interactions in structuring microbial networks in plant roots as well as their functional impact on plant growth remains poorly understood. Based on recent findings in my group, I propose a conceptual framework aiming at a functional understanding the holo-plant microbiome, where microbial interactions play an integral role in structuring root-associated microbial communities and maintaining microbiota balance and plant health.
By profiling three independently-evolved microbial classes (bacteria, fungi, oomycetes) in the roots of natural Arabidopsis thaliana populations across Europe and establishing corresponding reference culture collections for subsequent reconstitution of the plant microbiota in vitro, I will define fundamental mechanisms underlying the structure and functions of the plant microbiota. I will generate and utilize extensive microbial genome resources for the interpretation of metatranscriptome profiles of multi-kingdom synthetic communities during root colonization. This will contribute to a transition from binary plant-microbe to community-level molecular investigations. Finally, using a genetically tractable tripartite interaction model between the non mycorrhizal plant A. thaliana, a beneficial fungal root endophyte and a rhizobacterium, I propose to functionally dissect the molecular basis of beneficial multitrophic plant-microbe interactions by identifying microbial genes that are essential for both microbe-microbe and microbe-host interactions.
My hypothesis-driven research applies innovative reductionist approaches to reconstitute the microbiota of plant roots in laboratory settings to identify fundamental assembly rules and mechanisms that underpin complex plant-microbe interactions.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Keywords

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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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.

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.

(opens in new window) ERC-2017-STG

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Host institution

MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN EV
Net EU contribution

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.

€ 1 497 547,00
Address
HOFGARTENSTRASSE 8
80539 MUNCHEN
Germany

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Region
Bayern Oberbayern München, Kreisfreie Stadt
Activity type
Research Organisations
Links
Total cost

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.

€ 1 497 547,00

Beneficiaries (1)

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