Objectif Low rates of embryo survival can be attributed to endometritis, an inflammatory disease of the endometrium lining the uterus. The disease affects ~30% of cows, increases embryo mortality by 25%4, and costs the EU and USA dairy industries €2 billion annually. The endometrium and microbiome are usually in a state of symbiosis when the cow is either receptive to pregnancy or pregnant. This symbiosis is disrupted (dysbiosis) at calving when pathogens populate the uterus. Endometritis has long term negative effects on embryo survival, but the mechanisms of how endometrium-microbe interactions affect embryo survival are unknown. The goals of MICROBE: Metagenomic Investigation of Cow Reproductive Biology and Ecology (Figure) are to (1) establish myself as an independent, internationally respected scientist in reproductive biology; (2) reintegrate into a long-term research position in Ireland after completing postdoctoral research at the University of Missouri; and (3) acquire new technical skills to broaden the scope of my research, and to expand my leadership and project management capabilities. I will be hosted by Teagasc with supervision from Dr. Stephen Butler and Dr. Paul Cotter with a secondment at University College Dublin with Prof. Patrick Lonergan. I will explore whether the endometrium and microbiome interact to affect embryo survival by testing novel hypotheses. The research objectives are to (1) examine endometrium-microbe interactions at the level of the transcriptome and metagenome of dairy cows, and test the hypothesis that such interactions are responsive to genomic selection for fertility; (2) isolate and culture specific uterine microbes from two genotypes of dairy cows divergent in fertility; and (3) use ex-vivo tissue culture systems to validate novel functional mechanisms by which uterine bacteria isolated from cows divergent in genetic merit for fertility interact with the oviduct and endometrium during sperm transport and embryo development Champ scientifique agricultural sciencesanimal and dairy sciencedairynatural sciencesbiological sciencesecologynatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiological behavioural sciencesethologybiological interactionsmedical and health sciencesclinical medicineembryologynatural sciencesbiological sciencesreproductive biology Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Thème(s) MSCA-IF-2017 - Individual Fellowships Appel à propositions H2020-MSCA-IF-2017 Voir d’autres projets de cet appel Régime de financement MSCA-IF-EF-RI - RI – Reintegration panel Coordinateur TEAGASC - AGRICULTURE AND FOOD DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Contribution nette de l'UE € 175 866,00 Adresse Oak Park R93 Carlow Irlande Voir sur la carte Région Ireland Southern South-East Type d’activité Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Liens Contacter l’organisation Opens in new window Site web Opens in new window Participation aux programmes de R&I de l'UE Opens in new window Réseau de collaboration HORIZON Opens in new window Coût total € 175 866,00
