Objective
The formation of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI) such as superoxide radicals, hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radicals is an inevitable and potentially dangerous consequence of aerobic metabolism. ROI can react with and damage DNA, proteins and lipids. To reduce and repair the damage caused by ROI, complex protective mechanisms have been evolved by plants. The primary constituents of these protective mechanisms include superoxide dismutases (SOD), catalases, peroxidases and ROI scavengers such as carotenoids, ascorbate, tocopherols and gluthation (GSH). These protective mechanisms are of particular importance when plants are exposed to biotic and abiotic stresses which act to increase ROI formation. It is likely that genetic modification of the protective mechanisms will lead to the creation of plants resistant to environmental stresses. Indeed, by engineering superoxide dismutase genes (SOD), one of the laboratories involved in this collaboration was the first to demonstrate that increased SOD levels can increase tolerance of plants to oxidative stress conditions. However, ROI scavenging systems in plants are complex and there is an urgent need for a more thorough understanding of their organisation and regulation.
The research will consist of the isolation and characterisation of Arabidopsis thaliana mutants more resistant or more sensitive to oxidative stress, and mutants with altered expression of SOD genes and changed levels of GSH. Isolated mutants will be genetically mapped on the Arabidopsis genome, which opens up possibilities for the isolation of the respective genes. This direct genetic approach will enable the identification of genes whose products are crucial for the global regulation of oxidative stress defence systems. Information arising from this work will be essential for the rational design of strategies for the manipulation of plant stress tolerance. Genetic engineering of such genes in plants will be of great importance for the further development of stress-tolerant crops.
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.
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.
Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
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.
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Coordinator
9000 Gent
Belgium
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.