Descripción del proyecto
Más información sobre el mecanismo de la hiperacumulación de metales en plantas
Las hiperacumuladoras son plantas poco habituales. Su capacidad de acumular en sus hojas cantidades de metales pesados mucho mayores que las plantas normales hacen que resulten útiles para limpiar terrenos contaminados. Pero el mecanismo exacto que permite a la planta facilitar la hiperacumulación sigue siendo un misterio. ¿Se debe únicamente a mecanismos genéticos o podría ser el resultado de su adaptación al entorno a lo largo de los años? El proyecto DyCLE, financiado con fondos europeos, estudiará la acumulación de cadmio en poblaciones de Arabidopsis halleri. Esta especie presenta la mayor variación intrapoblacional de esta característica. Los resultados del estudio servirán para mejorar el modo en que se emplean las hiperacumuladoras para limpiar terrenos contaminados por metales que no son seguros para la agricultura.
Objetivo
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.
Ámbito científico
Programa(s)
Régimen de financiación
MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EFCoordinador
44801 Bochum
Alemania