Objective
The evolution of multicellularity (MC) has been one of the major transitions in the history of life. Despite immense interest in its evolutionary origins, the genomic changes leading to the emergence of MC, especially that of complex MC (differentiated 3-dimensional structures) are poorly known. Previous comparative genomics projects aiming to understand the genetic bases of MC in one way or another relied on gene content-based analyses. However, a pattern emerging from these studies is that gene content provides only an incomplete explanation for the evolution of MC even at ancient timescales. We hypothesize that besides gene duplications, changes to cis-regulatory elements and gene expression patterns (including protein isoforms) have significantly contributed to the evolution of MC. To test this hypothesis, we will deploy a combination of computational methods, phylogenomics, comparative transcriptomics and genome-wide assays of regulatory elements. Our research focuses on fungi as a model system, where complex MC evolved convergently and in subsequent two steps. Fungi are ideal models to tackle this question for several reasons: a) multicellularity in fungi evolved multiple times, b) there are rich genomic resources (>500 complete genomes), c) complex multicellular structures can be routinely grown in the lab and d) genetic manipulations are feasible for several cornerstone species. We set out to examine which genes participate in the building of simple and complex multicellular structures and whether the evolution of regulome complexity and gene expression patterns can explain the evolution of MC better than can traditionally assayed sources of genetic innovations (e.g. gene duplications). Ultimately, our goal is to reach a general synthesis on the genetic bases of the evolution of MC and that of organismal complexity.
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 biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- natural sciences biological sciences evolutionary biology
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology mycology
- natural sciences computer and information sciences computational science
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics genomes
You need to log in or register to use this function
We are sorry... an unexpected error occurred during execution.
You need to be authenticated. Your session might have expired.
Thank you for your feedback. You will soon receive an email to confirm the submission. If you have selected to be notified about the reporting status, you will also be contacted when the reporting status will change.
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.
-
H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
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
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
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
See all projects funded under this callHost institution
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.
6726 Szeged
Hungary
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.