Project description
Microbial support of the aquatic ecosystems
Bacterial interactions with eukaryotic phytoplankton are ubiquitous in marine ecosystems, while occurring reciprocal exchange of metabolites is mutually beneficial. Understanding the dynamics of these interactions is essential for the evaluation of the impact of bacterial communities in marine biogeochemical cycles. The EU-funded Microsyndia project aims to evaluate the potential role of diazotrophic bacteria in fulfilling the nutrient demands of algae in nitrogen-limited environments. The objective is to establish a model microbial system of marine heterotrophic diazotroph with an obligate dependency on photosynthetically fixed carbon, and a diatom, which relies on nitrogen fixed by the diazotroph. The results will uncover the connection of the structure, dynamics and function of microbial consortia that supports aquatic ecosystems.
Objective
Bacterial interactions with eukaryotic phytoplankton are ubiquitous in marine ecosystems. The basis of many of these interactions is a reciprocal exchange of metabolites that mutually benefits the organisms involved. Under diffusion limitation, such relationships typically require close spatial coupling between the two partners. How long these intimate interactions must endure for a sustained exchange to occur is unclear and challenges our judgement of what truly constitutes a symbiosis.
Understanding the dynamics of syntrophic interactions is essential to understand the impact of bacterial communities in marine biogeochemical cycles. With this proposal, I intend to evaluate the potential role of diazotrophic bacteria in alleviating the nutrient demands of algae in nitrogen-limited environments.
To achieve this, I plan to establish a model microbial system with a marine heterotrophic diazotroph, which has an obligate dependency on photosynthetically fixed carbon, and a diatom, which relies on nitrogen fixed by the diazotroph. I will construct a microfluidic bioreactor to enable detailed monitoring of the spatiotemporal distribution of bacteria and diatom cells during long-term culturing. Integrating this microenvironment with stable-isotope probing and Raman microscopy will allow me to quantify carbon and nitrogen uptake and transfer rates between partners. By relating microbial behaviour to single-cell activity rates, this project will offer invaluable information connecting the structure, dynamics and function of microbial consortia, and thereby provide robust insights into the basal ecological functioning that supports aquatic ecosystems.
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
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology phycology
- natural sciences biological sciences ecology ecosystems
- natural sciences biological sciences biological behavioural sciences ethology biological interactions
- natural sciences earth and related environmental sciences hydrology limnology
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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.
8092 Zuerich
Switzerland
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.