Project description
Understanding plant pathogens in olive trees
The bacterium of Xylella fastidiosa is a plant pathogen responsible for several diseases and is considered a threat to the EU olive population. However, the lack of knowledge on central elements of vector–host–bacterium intimate interaction prevents research on sustainable containment strategies. Besides, Philaenus spumarius, the vector of X. fastidiosa to olive trees in south Italy, remains unexplored. The EU-funded XYL-SPIT project will apply a multidisciplinary method to exhaustively describe the relationship between P. spumarius and X. fastidiosa and transmission dynamics. It will combine real-time tracking of insect probing behaviour, classical transmission tests and microscopy. The results will contribute to the establishment of a sustainable bacterium-mediated disease containment strategy.
Objective
Research on sustainable containment strategies of diseases caused by the vector-borne bacterium Xylella fastidiosa is hampered by the lack of knowledge on key elements of vector-host-bacterium intimate interaction. Moreover, available data on this three-way relationship come from studies carried out with sharpshooters, the main American bacterial vectors. On the other side, nothing is known on the insect family who likely plays the major role in bacterium epidemiology in Europe, i.e. spittlebugs, to which Philaenus spumarius, the main vector of X. fastidiosa to olive in South Italy, belongs to. The main objective of this project is to thoroughly characterize P. spumarius-X. fastidiosa relationship and transmission dynamics through a multidisciplinary approach, combining real-time tracking of insect probing behavior, classical transmission tests and microscopy. First, we are going to characterize the spittlebug acquisition/inoculation behaviors of the bacterium on different host plant/bacterium strain combinations. Once these behaviors have been characterized, we will determine the sites within spittlebug foregut where bacterial cells are retained suddenly after acquisition, and from where the cells are detached and delivered to the host plant during inoculation. Finally, we will focus on P. spumarius behavior on, and X. fastidiosa transmission dynamic to, olive varieties found to be tolerant to the bacterium. The results of the present project will represent an essential step toward the set-up of a sustainable bacterium-mediated diseases containment strategy. This fellowship represents a unique opportunity for the applicant. The experience gained from this three-year multidisciplinary project will make Daniele Cornara a serious candidate for an academic position throughout Europe, beside an important resource for Europe considering the threat posed by the relentless spread of X. fastidiosa throughout the Continent.
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 microbiology bacteriology
- medical and health sciences health sciences public health epidemiology
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy
- natural sciences biological sciences zoology entomology
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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.
28006 MADRID
Spain
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.