Project description
Inhibiting parasitism of root-knot nematodes to prevent crop disease
Certain species of microscopic nematodes (roundworms) are parasitic to plants. Infestations of root-knot nematodes can be particularly destructive to a wide range of crop plants. Therefore, determining the agent that triggers their parasitic nature could lead to its inhibition and prevent crop loss. The EU-funded Mi-DOG project will investigate the genomic mechanism that causes the plant-parasitic nematode Meloidogyne incognita to infest plant roots, bringing about disease. Using knowledge of the non-coding DNA sequence of the nematode’s dorsal gland promoter, the project will identify the associated protein complex or “reader” that is responsible for plant parasitism using advanced CRISPR-mediated (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) methodologies.
Objective
My proposal aims to understand how root-knot nematodes cause disease in the host plant.
Understanding how these parasitic worms cause disease is important because they have a worldwide distribution, they infect thousands of different plant species, and ultimately they represent a major constraint on achieving food security in Europe and beyond.
In this proposal I will link my expertise in root-knot nematodes at molecular and proteomic levels, with the host group expertise in the regulation of parasitism genes, to understand how the most economically damaging root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita successfully controls the process of plant-parasitism.
My proposal builds on the recent discovery of a non-coding DNA motif that is specifically enriched in the promoter regions of approximately 100 genes expressed in the root-knot Meloidogyne incognita dorsal gland (named Mi-DOG box). This discovery leads to two important ideas: Firstly, given that many effector proteins produced in this gland are delivered into the plant during infection, the Mi-DOG promoter is probably involved in the regulation of parasitism. Secondly, being a non-coding DNA motif, the Mi-DOG box is probably recognized by an associated protein or protein complex, a “reader” that coordinates the expression of secreted parasitism proteins, and ultimately orchestrates the process of plant parasitism.
In a formal connection between two world-class research institutions, the main objectives of my proposal are therefore to: 1) Identify the “readers” of Mi-DOG box using a combination of well-established and highly-innovative CRISPR-mediated methodologies, and 2) characterize the spatio-temporal expression pattern and functional role of these “readers” in M. incognita parasitism.
Overall, my proposal describes a novel scientific approach to address an emerging area of great promise with considerable translational potential, and ultimately to open up my best career opportunities for the future.
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 DNA
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- medical and health sciences health sciences nutrition
- natural sciences biological sciences biological behavioural sciences ethology biological interactions
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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.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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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.
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)
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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) H2020-MSCA-IF-2018
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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.
69622 Villeurbanne Cedex
France
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.