Objective
The conceptual basis upon which management tools for our oceans, seas and coasts have operated are out-of-date. MixITiN will train an innovative team of early stage researchers (ESRs) to develop and deploy new methodologies for researching, monitoring and managing our marine environment according to the recently revised paradigm for marine pelagic production. Current management tools and policies operate within a paradigm that builds on a simple division functioning at the base of the food chain leading to fisheries, between ”plant-like” phytoplankton and their main consumers, the microzooplankton. Applicants of the research programme MixITiN have shown that this plant-animal paradigm represents at the least a gross simplification, if not a falsehood. The revised paradigm recognises that most phytoplankton and half the microzooplankton combine plant-like photosynthesis with animal-like consumer activity within the one cell. This form of nutrition, “mixotrophy”, supports the growth of organisms important for food chains and biogeochemical cycles removing atmospheric CO2; they are also causative agents of harmful algal blooms. In consequence of this revised paradigm, laboratory and field research approaches, management policies and allied computer modelling tools, are arguably no longer fit for purpose. MixITiN brings together European world-class research and training centres from 9 different countries, with skillsets from molecular biology, physiology and computer modelling, to marine and coastal zone management, public and media engagement. MixITiN will train ESRs in multinational and multidisciplinary centres of excellence, with intersectoral engagement enabling them to gain employment in various sectors such as consultancy, government, academic, or allied industries. The synergy of training approaches provided to the ESRs will raise their capabilities and progress science beyond the current state-of-the-art to enable improved management of marine resources.
Fields of science
- natural sciencesearth and related environmental scienceshydrology
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesmarine biology
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesmolecular biology
- natural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesoceanography
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesbotany
- agricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesfisheries
- medical and health scienceshealth sciencesnutrition
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesecology
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicinephysiology
Programme(s)
Call for proposal
H2020-MSCA-ITN-2017
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
MSCA-ITN-ETN - European Training NetworksCoordinator
CF24 ODE Cardiff
United Kingdom
Participants (8)
27570 Bremerhaven
1165 Kobenhavn
19013 Attikia Anavissos
1050 Bruxelles
2629 HV Delft
28006 Madrid
75006 Paris
Participation ended
SA2 8PP Swansea
Partners (5)
48395 Sukarrieta
2101 Nicosia
EC1V 0HB London
Falmouth
28359 Bremen
