Project description
A deeper understanding of plant development and death
As a suicide mechanism adopted by multicellular organisms, programmed cell death (PCD) is essential for development and resistance to different forms of stress. In plants, it is involved from embryogenesis to death of the whole plant. The EU-funded EXECUT.ER project has established the Arabidopsis root cap as a novel model system for developmental PCD in plants. The model allows for the identification of a gene regulatory network controlling the preparation of PCD. Exploiting the accessibility of the root cap for live cell analysis of PCD execution, researchers obtained preliminary data revealing an unexpected succession of distinct membrane permeabilisation events in which the endoplasmic reticulum breaks up before the central vacuole. The detailed understanding of plant PCD execution will shed light on plant development and open new avenues for crop improvement and protection.
Objective
Programmed Cell Death (PCD) is fundamental to the development and health of multicellular organisms. However, our knowledge on developmentally controlled PCD in plants remains fragmentary, despite its undoubted significance for plant growth and reproduction.
My team has established the Arabidopsis root cap as a novel model system for developmental PCD in plants. This model has enabled us to identify a gene regulatory network controlling the preparation of PCD. However, the molecular processes that terminate the vital functions of a plant cell during the final steps of PCD execution remain unknown.
Exploiting the accessibility of the root cap for live-cell analysis of PCD execution, we obtained preliminary data revealing an unexpected succession of distinct membrane permeabilization events in which the endoplasmic reticulum breaks up before the central vacuole. I hypothesize that this sequential de-compartmentalization is the mechanism underlying the irreversible and orderly execution of PCD.
Recent advances in several key technologies provide unprecedented opportunities to test this hypothesis and make a quantum leap in our understanding of the mechanisms carrying out PCD execution.
I will employ correlative super-resolution light and electron microscopy to analyse PCD execution in unparalleled spatial and temporal resolution. RNA sequencing of single cells at the onset of PCD execution will provide information on the genes that are required for this rapid process. Advanced proteomics techniques will provide a direct route to identify proteins acting on membrane permeabilization during PCD execution. Lastly, multiplex and tissue-specific mutagenesis via innovative CRISPR screens will enable me to overcome genetic redundancy and lethality in the PCD context.
The detailed understanding of plant PCD execution generated by this research program will shed light on a fundamental principle of plant development and open new avenues for crop improvement and protection.
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 biochemistry biomolecules proteins proteomics
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy super resolution microscopy
- agricultural sciences agriculture, forestry, and fisheries agriculture
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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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Topic(s)
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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-COG - Consolidator 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-2019-COG
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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.
9052 ZWIJNAARDE - GENT
Belgium
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