Project description
Studying connections between clock and crop traits
Circadian clocks are conserved time-tracking mechanisms that allow organisms to align endogenous physiological processes with the changing environment. These biological clocks are not only timekeepers but function as pivotal regulators of extensive cellular networks. A key plant-specific nuclear protein, GIGANTEA, plays a role in diverse physiological processes in addition to the control of circadian rhythms. It functions at the interface between the clock and its output. The EU-funded CHRONOTRADE project will investigate the GIGANTEA and characterise the molecular mechanism by which it modulates the balance between growth and defence. To establish a framework for targeted biotechnological manipulation, the knowledge gained will be transferred to a crop species (tomato). The findings will advance our understanding of the connections between the clock and its output in model and crop species.
Objective
Circadian clocks are conserved time-tracking mechanisms that allow organisms to align endogenous physiological processes with the changing environment. Growing evidence supports a role for these biological clocks, not only as mere timekeepers, but as pivotal regulators of extensive cellular networks. In plants, the influence of the clock on development and physiology is pervasive and many traits of agronomical value are subjected to circadian regulation. Noteworthy, clock gene alleles have been traditionally selected because of their desirable influences on key agricultural traits.
An outstanding clock protein that functions at the interface between the clock and its output is GIGANTEA (GI). We propose to investigate this regulatory hub protein, and characterize the molecular mechanism by which it modulates the balance between growth and defense. Knowledge gained from the model plant Arabidopsis will be transferred to a crop species (tomato) in order to establish a framework for targeted biotechnological manipulation. Consequently, an innovative strategy based on edgetic alleles will be deployed to generate new GI alleles that uncouple growth from defense, a key feature for cultivated species.
From a training point of view, this fellowship will build on the Experienced Researcher’s (ER) solid expertise on molecular biology and complement it with the skills required to translate basic research to tackle specific agronomical issues. This will undoubtedly boost her opportunities to reach an independent research position with biotechnological orientation.
In summary, this proposal aims to (i) advance our understanding on the connections between the clock and its output in model and crop species, (ii) generate novel variants of circadian-clock components as a biotechnological strategy for sustainable agriculture, and (iii) render a well-trained academic researcher with the capacities needed to develop a professional career within biotechnological research.
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.
- agricultural sciences agriculture, forestry, and fisheries agriculture sustainable agriculture
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering information engineering telecommunications telecommunications networks mobile network
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology
- natural sciences biological sciences molecular biology
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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.
28006 MADRID
Spain
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.