Project description
Rhizaria, critical in the silicon cycle in our oceans
Silicon (Si) is a major nutrient in oceans and is required by microalgae (diatoms), sponges and Rhizarians. Back in the Cambrian era, sponges together with the first protists, Rhizaria, dominated the oceans and therefore silica production in these vast seas. In contemporary oceans, diatoms are thought to dominate the Si cycle but work by the EU-funded Si-ORHIGENS project has revealed the unexpected importance of Rhizarians. Si-ORHIGENS researchers have studied transcriptomic data, silica deposition and genes responsible for silicification processes in the Rhizaria. This research will form the basis for a more unified approach to plankton studies and will increase understanding of Si transport and its biogeochemical cycling in oceans.
Objective
Silicon (Si) is a major nutrient in the global ocean, required for growth by a variety of distantly related organisms, including microalgae, sponges and rhizarians. Silicifying Rhizaria were among the first protists to inhabit the ocean and, together with sponges, dominated the biogenic silica production during the Cambrian era. These organisms became an important, though poorly understood, component of marine ecosystems. In the contemporary ocean, diatoms are thought to dominate the planktonic realm and to be the main contributor to the Si cycle. However, my recent work has revealed that Rhizaria have unexpectedly high individual Si production rates and biogenic silica content, suggesting that their contribution to marine Si and carbon cycles may have been underestimated. This project aims to elucidate the process of silicification in Rhizaria and determine sources of variability in silicic acid uptake of these protists, through three tailored work packages (WPs). The first WP, consists of the analyse of transcriptomic data at a global scale as well as individual transcriptomes of isolated Rhizaria to assess the diversity of Si transporters. Thereafter, the examination of silica deposition, using a fluorescence compound, in a broad range of Rhizaria and varying ambient silicic acid concentrations. The final WP, will be the quantification of gene expression during silicification processes using primers designed within WP1. This highly interdisciplinary project combines bioinformatics, molecular biology and physiology, leading to a more unified approach to plankton research. The outcomes of this project will improve our general understanding of Si transport in Rhizaria as well as our understanding of the biogeochemical cycling of Si in the ocean. This work will also constitute a major advance in my career, as I acquire skills in new research methods beyond my current capacity, and build a unique skillset that will set me ahead of the current rhizarian research scope.
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Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
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Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-GF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships
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Call for proposal
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(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01
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75006 Paris
France
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