Project description
Digging into the synthesis of plant metabolites
Not only are plant metabolites fundamental for plant growth and health, they also have a variety of important pharmaceutical applications for humans. As a result, the discovery of new plant metabolites and metabolic pathways is of great significance. The EU-funded CHORPATH project aims to investigate the biosynthesis of a novel class of phenolic molecules recently discovered in the plant model Arabidopsis. Using reverse genetics, scientists will probe for genes or for an operon-like gene cluster implicated in their biosynthesis and metabolism. Since chemical analogues of this newly discovered class are in vitro inhibitors of enzymes at branch points in the biosynthesis of a plethora of essential molecules, the project's results may lead to methods regulating the flux through these pathways, opening perspectives for applications.
Objective
Plants produce arrays of specialized metabolites that are crucial for plant development, defense and interactions with the ever-changing environment. Discovery of metabolites and metabolic pathways by dissecting the underlying genetic basis is an important challenge, not only to increase our understanding of life, but also to provide indispensable applications for humans such as pharmaceuticals. In this project we will investigate the occurrence and biosynthesis of the phenol-like compound, a novel metabolic class that was recently discovered by the host group in the plant model Arabidopsis (unpublished). Notably, chemically synthesized phenol-like compound and analogues have been shown to be potent in vitro inhibitors of chorismate-utilizing enzymes. This inhibitory activity hints to a potential biological role for phenol-like compound in regulating the flux through these pathways, opening perspectives for applications. The direct objective of my project is to unravel the biosynthetic pathway of phenol-like compound. We therefore aim i) to structurally identify additional pathway intermediates and sinks via LC-MS based metabolite profiling and purification followed by NMR, ii) to test whether chorismate is a precursor of the pathway by feeding plants with Stable Isotope Labeled chorismate, followed by analyzing the MS fragmentation spectra of the labeled molecules, iii) to investigate the role of an operon-like gene cluster involved in the biosynthesis of phenol-like compound via reversed genetics, and iv) to obtain insight in the in planta role of phenol-like compound by feeding experiment followed by metabolic profiling. My experience in reversed genetics and enzyme kinetics in specialized metabolism in rice make me well suited to bring this project to success. My prime objective is to strengthen my skills in metabolite profiling, pathway discovery and structural elucidation, to become an independent plant scientist in plant specialized metabolism.
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 genetics
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry metabolomes
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy pharmaceutical drugs
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins enzymes
- agricultural sciences agriculture, forestry, and fisheries agriculture grains and oilseeds cereals
You need to log in or register to use this function
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.
-
H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme -
H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
See all projects funded under this programme
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)
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
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
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
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.
9052 ZWIJNAARDE - 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.