Project description
Innovative technology for fungal disease management
Fungal plant diseases cause yield and quality losses in agroecosystems and threaten the sustainability of forest ecosystems. Environment harming chemical fungicides are used in fungal disease management in agroecosystems, but there are very few viable options that allow fungal disease management in forest systems. Spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS) is a novel management approach based on the ability of certain organisms to take up double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) from the environment. However, the easy degradation of dsRNA impedes the widespread use of the technology. The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions SIGSbyBEVs project will develop a technology on the basis of dsRNA encapsulation into bacterial extracellular vesicles (BEVs). The project will target two fungal species (genus Fusarium), infecting high-value horticultural crops and forest pine trees.
Objective
Fungal plant diseases are responsible for yield and quality losses in agroecosystems, and also threaten the sustainability of forest ecosystems worldwide. The management of fungal diseases in agroecosystems often relies on the intensive use of chemical fungicides, which have negative impacts on the environment and may lead to the emergence of resistant strains. At the same time, fungal diseases are rarely managed in forest systems due to the scarcity of viable options. Spray-Induced Gene Silencing (SIGS) is a novel management approach based on the ability of certain organisms, including plant pathogenic fungi, to take up double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) from the environment, which can induce gene silencing in the target organism. Thus, essential or virulence-related genes can be specifically targeted by dsRNAs in SIGS, preventing or reducing disease development and providing a bio-based alternative to chemical fungicides in agroecosystems, and a promising option for forest systems. However, the easy degradation of dsRNA under environmental conditions is a major hurdle in adapting this technology for widespread use. Here, we propose to use bacterial extracellular vesicles (BEVs) as dsRNA delivery vehicles in SIGS. My previous research experience has shown that artificial vesicles can encapsulate and protect dsRNAs that target fungal genes through spray applications, inducing gene silencing in several plant pathogenic fungi. In this proposal, we plan to develop a technology based on dsRNA encapsulation into bacterial extracellular vesicles (BEVs) to target two fungal species in the genus Fusarium, one that infects high-value horticultural crops and one that infects forest pine trees. Through a carefully designed plan based on my research background and the expertise of my host institution, we aim to develop SIGS technologies based on BEVs that will contribute to the sustainable management of fungal diseases in agricultural and forest systems.
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 microbiology mycology
- agricultural sciences agriculture, forestry, and fisheries agriculture
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics RNA
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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)
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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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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
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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-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01
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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.
47002 VALLADOLID
Spain
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