Objective
Interactions in which all partners benefit, known as mutualisms, underpin many vital ecosystem functions all across nature. Recent work by myself and others has shown that mutualisms can readily break down via a few independence-enabling mutations, especially under environmental stress. Understanding the mechanisms that ensure mutualism stability is of increased importance for environmental, health, and societal problems. An unexplored question is the impact that large variations in mutational rates and spectra can have on in this process. Indeed, mutator strains, variants with highly elevated and biased mutation rates, readily take over microbial populations when there is ample adaptive opportunity, such as under environmental stress. These dramatic changes in spontaneous mutagenesis can have opposing effects on mutualism stability. On the one hand, they can lead to adaptive mutations appearing more rapidly, promoting partners survival and hence stabilising mutualisms. On the other hand, they may accelerate the acquisition of independence-enabling mutations, hence destabilising mutualism. With MICROCOSMS, I will address this open question by combining computer simulation with experimental evolution and genomics. I will experimentally evolve pairwise auxotrophic E. coli communities, genetically engineered to contain mutator variants that alter the mutational spectrum available. Pairwise communities will be assessed for mutualism stability when subject to both adaptive evolution, under strong antibiotic pressure, and non-adaptive evolution, where populations are subject to severe bottlenecking. These will be matched to simulations predicting the outcome of adaptive and non-adaptive evolution. By producing key insights into the stability of mutualisms under environmental stress, MICROCOSMS will form a knowledge base that will aide in protecting environmental and human-based ecosystems against disruptions.
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 microbiomes
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics mutation
- natural sciences biological sciences ecology ecosystems
- natural sciences biological sciences biological behavioural sciences ethology biological interactions
- natural sciences mathematics applied mathematics mathematical model
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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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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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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) HORIZON-MSCA-2022-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.
28040 Madrid
Spain
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.