Project description
Contribution of microRNA miR156 to the evolution of land plants
The EU-funded miR156evo project will use a comparative developmental approach to investigate the hypothesis that the single-stranded non-coding microRNA molecule miR156 was a critical factor in land plant evolution, enabling the expansion of vascular plant forms. Using gain- and loss-of-function genetic techniques, the project will characterise the role of miR156 and SQUAMOSA promoter binding protein-like (SPL) genes in moss sporophyte development, specifically their effects on apical growth and reproductive development. The vascular plant model Arabidopsis will be employed to test how SPL genes regulate apical growth using reporter gene assays, advanced imaging and genome-wide surveys of SPL targets. Finally, the importance of intercellular signalling to apical growth in moss and Arabidopsis by blocking connections between cells will be determined.
Objective
An ancient divergence in land plant evolution gave rise to the vascular plant (e.g. Arabidopsis) and bryophyte (e.g. moss) groups. Prolonged apical growth is a defining feature of vascular plants and the establishment of elaborate shoot systems with delayed reproductive development enabled their extraordinary evolutionary success. In contrast, mosses undergo transient apical growth prior to rapid reproductive development. In Arabidopsis, the microRNA miR156 represses members of the SPL family of transcription factors that inhibit apical growth and promote developmental transitions. However, the role of the miR156-SPL module in plant evolution remains to determined. SPL genes evolved before plants colonised land, whereas miR156 arose during early plant evolution. It is possible, therefore, that miR156 was a critical innovation in land plant evolution that facilitated the elaboration of vascular plant forms. My Proposal will test this hypothesis by taking a comparative developmental approach. Using gain and loss-of function genetic techniques I will characterise the role of miR156 and SPL genes in moss sporophyte development, specifically, their effects on apical growth and reproductive development. In Arabidopsis, I will test how SPL genes regulate apical growth using reporter genes assays, advanced imaging and genome-wide surveys of SPL-targets. Finally, I will test the importance of intercellular signaling to apical growth in moss and Arabidopsis by blocking connections between cells. This Fellowship will provide training from a world-leading expert in cutting-edge techniques that are critical to my long-term research objectives. It will allow me to extend my research portfolio by asking fundamental biological questions in a new experimental system (moss) within a highly stimulating scientific environment. The training and outstanding professional development opportunities provided by the University of Bristol will be vital to achieve my career ambitions.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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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-2020
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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.
BS8 1QU BRISTOL
United Kingdom
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.