Project description
Increasing knowledge on the effects of microplastics on the environment
Plastic debris contamination in marine habitats is a serious concern. This is because of the severe risk to marine flora and fauna. Another factor that has been increasing environmental concern is microplastics, micro- and nanoparticles of plastics, that make up the overwhelming majority of plastic particles in the sea. What is more, it is also troubling that we have very little knowledge of the effects of microplastics on wildlife or even humans. The EU-funded project MICRODEV aims to change this. It plans to do this by researching and ascertaining the effects of microplastics on the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus. Ultimately, this will provide knowledge and information for the fields of ecology, toxicology, developmental biology and aquaculture.
Objective
Plastic debris contamination is a growing environmental concern in marine habitats. Large plastic objects break-up over time to create micro- and nano- particles, collectively called microplastics (MP), which account for the overwhelming majority of plastic particles in the sea. Little is known about the impacts of MP on wildlife or humans and this presents an important research priority. Several studies have demonstrated that MP can affect sea life negatively. Amongst these, they have been reported affecting development (causing malformations, delayed growth and increased death rates). These developmental effects have never been characterised, and their molecular basis remains unknown. Developmental defects may impact population survival by decreasing the number of individuals, or their fitness, in range of marine organisms.
This pioneering project will identify the effects of MP exposure in the development of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus, bridging interests for ecology, toxicology, developmental biology and aquaculture. I will characterise the developmental morphological malformations caused by MP and their underlying genetic mechanisms.
This Fellowship will provide an excellent opportunity to complement my strong background in genetics and molecular and developmental biology and expertise in ecotoxicology and microplastic pollution with transcriptomic analysis and the deep understanding of this model organism for development and toxicology under the supervision of Dr. Arnone, a world leading expert in the field. This will provide me with a firm skill set and knowledge to further my research career. The knowledge and expertise I will acquire in the Arnone lab, together with being hosted by a supportive and acclaimed institution, and the prestige of the MSCA fellowship, will allow me to open a unique and timely line of research and will be crucial for my transition into an independent European researcher.
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
- social sciences sociology demography mortality
- natural sciences biological sciences ecology
- natural sciences biological sciences developmental biology
- natural sciences earth and related environmental sciences environmental sciences pollution
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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-2019
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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.
80121 Napoli
Italy
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.