Project description
Gut microbiome, host behaviour and stress in the wild
The gut-brain axis is a biological link influencing both physiology and behaviour, but its role in natural environments remains a mystery. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the WildMBI project aims to explore this gut-brain axis within a unique natural laboratory: the wild horses of Sable Island. The goal is to identify specific microbial genes and host factors that drive these complex social dynamics. The findings are expected to contribute to the understanding of the complex behaviour of the wild host-microbiome interaction. Additionally, they will provide important information on animal welfare and wildlife conservation approaches in the future.
Objective
The ‘gut-brain axis’ comprises bidirectional communication pathways that mediate physiology and behaviour. Laboratory studies have shown the gut microbiome – the microorganismal community inside the gastro-intestinal tract – is part of this axis, exchanging metabolites that modify social behaviour, anxiety and stress. In turn, microbiomes can themselves be altered by host stress and social context. What remains unclear is whether, and to what extent, the gut-brain axis modulates behavioural and physiological variation under natural conditions. As a MSCA fellow, I will test the hypothesis that the gut microbiome impacts behaviour and stress physiology in free-living horses, and investigate the pathways involved. For this, I will make use of long-term data collected in the Sable Island Horse Project, Canada. This unique population study comprises repeated measurement of individual behaviour and profiling of gut (faecal) microbiome (taxonomically and functionally). Combined with de novo meta-transcriptomic data and statistical modelling, this data will allow me to assess the contribution of the gut microbiome to variation in behavioural and stress, and infer the causal links underpinning microbiome-host associations.
Specifically, I will determine (1) genetic and environmental contributions to risk aversion, social position and stress, and (2) the magnitude of microbiome-host interactions. I will then (3) identify the active microbial genes and pathways that mediate stress-related traits in wild horses. My results will greatly extend our understanding of the microbiome’s function in regulating stress and behaviour under natural conditions. They may also inform future applications in welfare and conservation biology that aim to help animals cope with challenging and changing environmental conditions. This project will allow me to develop new expertise and practical skills in genomics and microbiomics while also enhancing my teaching, management and leadership skills.
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 genetics
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology
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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-GF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global 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-2024-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.
EX4 4QJ Exeter
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.