Project description
Analysis of epistasis on the farm
A key target in plant biology is to understand the mechanisms of natural genetic variation that results in quantitative variations with economically significant characteristics. Attempts to direct the genotype-to-phenotype map usually focus on linear genetic interactions resulting in crop breeding driven by loci with foreseeable additive effects. However, variation in quantitative characteristics often derives from perturbations of complex genetic networks. Consequently, the ability to predictably improve crops depends on understanding epistasis. The EU-funded EPICROP project will explore epistatic interactions in gene regulatory networks that drive stem cell variation in tomato crops. It will use comprehensive allelic series for epistatic MADS-box genes that regulate flower and fruit production to study basic principles of epistasis applicable to other genetic networks.
Objective
A major goal in plant biology is to understand how naturally occurring genetic variation leads to quantitative differences in economically important traits. Efforts to navigate the genotype-to-phenotype map are often focused on linear genetic interactions. As a result, crop breeding is mainly driven by loci with predictable additive effects. However, it has become clear that quantitative trait variation often results from perturbations of complex genetic networks. Thus, understanding epistasis, or interactions between genes, is key for our ability to predictably improve crops. To meet this challenge, this project will reveal and dissect epistatic interactions in gene regulatory networks that guide stem cell differentiation in the model crop tomato. In the first aim, I will utilize exhaustive allelic series for epistatic MADS-box genes that quantitatively regulate flower and fruit production as an experimental model system to study fundamental principles of epistasis that can be applied to other genetic networks. Genome-wide transcript profiling will be used to reveal molecular signatures of epistasis and potential targets for predictable crop improvement by advanced CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology. Further, my preliminary data suggests that epistasis is widespread and important across major productivity traits in tomato. Thus, in a second aim, I will access this untapped resource of cryptic genetic variation by sensitizing a tomato diversity panel for weak epistatic effects from unknown natural modifier loci of stem cell differentiation using trans-acting CRISPR/Cas9 editing cassettes. This screen represents a new approach to mutagenesis in plants with potential to reveal cryptic variation in other system. The outcomes of this project will advance our knowledge in a fundamental area of plant genome biology, help uncover and understand the functional architecture of epistasis, and have potential to bring significant improvements to agriculture.
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.
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology genetic engineering gene therapy
- agricultural sciences agriculture, forestry, and fisheries agriculture horticulture fruit growing
- social sciences economics and business economics production economics productivity
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics genomes
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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)
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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
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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
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2018-STG
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1015 LAUSANNE
Switzerland
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