The work performed in the MetaFun project encompassed three main work packages:
Work Package 1 (WP1) focused on characterizing the microbiome response to the presence of "healthy" and stressed plants. This involved in-vivo experiments, metagenomics analysis of soil inoculum, and metatranscriptomics analysis of the rhizosphere microbiome. Results from WP1 contributed to the identification of key microbial species associated with both plant disease and plant resistance.
Work Package 2 (WP2) included similar in-vivo experiments, metatranscriptomics analysis, and network analysis but with a specific focus on stressed Arabidopsis plants. The results from this work package aimed to uncover the microbiome dynamics of stressed plants and to identify microbial genes and molecular functions associated with plant disease and disease resistance.
Work Package 3 (WP3) focused on the researcher's career development, providing hands-on theoretical and experimental training and transferable skills training. The researcher successfully completed this training, enhancing their skills and knowledge in various aspects of microbiome research.
In terms of dissemination, the project made significant efforts to share its results, including:
- One research article has been published (Proietti, S., Falconieri, G. S., Bertini, L., Pascale, A., et al. "Beauveria bassiana rewires molecular mechanisms related to growth and defense in tomato." Journal of Experimental Botany, (2023): erad148).
- Two manuscripts are currently in submission, including a methodological book chapter and a literature review.
- One manuscript will be prepared upon completion of the ongoing analysis.
- The project also presented its findings at international and national conferences and utilized social media and online platforms to engage with the scientific community.
