Project description
Unlocking the mechanism of metal hyperaccumulation in plants
Hyperaccumulators are unusual plants. Their ability to accumulate much larger amounts of heavy metals in their leaves than normal plants makes them useful for cleaning up contaminated land. The exact mechanism by which the plant facilitates hyperaccumulation remains a mystery. Is this attributed only to genetic mechanisms or could this be the result of being accustomed to the environment over the years? The EU-funded DyCLE project will study cadmium accumulation in populations of Arabidopsis halleri. This species exhibits the largest intrapopulation variation of this trait. Study outcomes will help find better methods of using hyperaccumulators for cleaning up metal-contaminated soils that are unsafe for agriculture.
Objective
Metal hyperaccumulator plants accumulate extraordinarily high concentrations of toxic metals in their leaves. The large within-population variation in the extent of hyperaccumulation of some metals in the field remains unexplained. Is this an acclimation, and to which environmental factor? Or is it a result of evolutionary adaptation, and what selects for it? To answer these questions, the applicant will employ results from a large field survey of Arabidopsis halleri, a model species capable of hyperaccumulating cadmium (Cd), published by the host group. The researcher will monitor dynamics of leaf Cd accumulation in the A. halleri populations exhibiting the largest intra-population variation in this trait in the field. In individuals contrasting for the degree of Cd accumulation, the researcher will quantify the response to herbivore attack, as well as the genetic contribution for leaf Cd accumulation. High-quality research in the host laboratory (Ruhr University Bochum, DE) and knowledge on soil-plant-insect interaction will enhance EU scientific excellence. The researcher will engage in collaboration with a secondment (Bielefeld University, DE) for scientific exchange and the synergic transfer of high-quality complementary scientific and methodological expertise, thus strengthening EU internationally leading position in toxic metal ecology. Expected results will enable best protocols for plant-based clean-up (phytoremediation) of metal-contaminated soils that are unsafe for agriculture and a significant issue in the EU. This project will delineate the inter-disciplinary independent career of the researcher, enhance his knowledge and provide personalised training in state-of-the-art research methodology. He will participate in management and group meetings and train students for skills and knowledge transfer. Scientific publications for experts, as well as seminars, articles, a web video and social e-media for the public will efficiently disseminate the results.
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.
- engineering and technology environmental biotechnology bioremediation phytoremediation
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry transition metals
- natural sciences biological sciences ecology
- agricultural sciences agriculture, forestry, and fisheries agriculture
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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-EF-ST - Standard EF
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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.
44801 Bochum
Germany
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.