Project description
Giant viruses in the Arctic
Giant viruses (GVs) contain large genomes and their capsids may rival small bacteria in size. Despite their worldwide distribution, especially in marine ecosystems, no GVs have been isolated in the Arctic region. Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the ARCGIRUS project aims to explore an unstudied environment and find the first Arctic GV that infects microalgae. Additionally, researchers will investigate virus-derived bioproducts using mass spectrometry. This research could lead to new biotechnological advances, improve our understanding of viruses and their evolution, and highlight the importance of the Arctic virosphere.
Objective
Giant viruses (GVs) comprise a ubiquitous and unique viral group. Their large genomes encode a majority of proteins with unknown functions, an important but overlooked source for new biotechnological breakthroughs. Most known GVs have been isolated in hosts from the genus Acanthamoeba and none has yet been found from the Arctic, one of the most important ecosystems in the world. This came as a surprise considering various metagenomic studies revealed the presence of GVs worldwide, especially in marine ecosystems. More studies on host-GVs interaction also bring forth their potential for viral-derived bioactive compounds. Hence, this project (ARCGIRUS) aims to innovate in giant virus research by (O1) isolating the first algal-infecting giant virus from the Arctic. This will overcome the Acanthamoeba-focused host bias and at the same time explore an important but never studied environment in this field. Then, I will (O2) characterize the isolates, and (O3) develop a novel method using mass spectrometry to find potential bioproducts at the phenotypic level from cells infected with giant viruses. The biological data obtained through this project will have an impact on virology and evolutionary biology, likely leading to interesting basic research projects and applied science advances, in addition to increased awareness of the Arctic virosphere, and nature in general. The GVs isolates and publications generated through this project will become important references in the field and open the possibility of collaboration. The use of social media and collaboration with museums will advertise the study of GVs and raise awareness of their role in the marine microbiome to general audiences. Overall, the novelty of finding giant viruses infecting microalgae from the Arctic, together with the training and knowledge acquired from this fellowship, will support my career goal of becoming a leading polar microbiologist specializing in giant viruses.
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 virology
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- natural sciences biological sciences ecology ecosystems
- engineering and technology industrial biotechnology biomaterials
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics genomes
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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)
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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-2023-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.
9019 Tromso
Norway
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.