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Enhancing Climate-Resilient Crops by Innovative Priming Strategies

Project description

Growing tomato resilience in a changing climate

Climate change is putting crops under increasing stress. Heatwaves are a serious threat to global food security. Tomatoes, one of the most important crops worldwide, are especially at risk. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the PRIMER project is training 12 doctoral candidates in priming strategies. These include genetic, chemical, and physiological methods that improve heat tolerance and protect yields. The project uses tools such as single-cell analysis, genomics, computational modelling, and new priming stimulants. PRIMER connects fundamental plant science with practical solutions. Beyond tomatoes, it prepares young researchers to face the complex challenges of sustainable agriculture in a warming world.

Objective

PRIMER addresses the escalating threat of climate change on agriculture, specifically the increasing frequency of heatwaves on food security. PRIMER is a network of 10 beneficiaries and 10 associated partners which aims to enhance the resilience of tomato using innovative priming approaches, including genetic, chemical and physiological interventions. PRIMER will train 12 doctoral candidates through projects that utilize multidisciplinary approaches and cutting-edge technologies to generate improved tomato yields and mitigate losses due to heat. In addition to the scientific training, PRIMER aims to (1) generate a single-cell gene expression atlas to decipher intricate cell- and tissue-specific priming mechanisms; (2) explore the genetic basis of priming by leveraging diverse tomato varieties, offering valuable germplasm for breeding; (3) develop computational models to predict plant responses under diverse heat stress scenarios, optimizing novel priming strategies; (4) pioneer interventions (physiological, chemical, and genetic) to bolster plant thermotolerance and enhance crop resilience. Each objective is addressed through dedicated WPs. PRIMER's approach spans from fundamental research elucidating cellular mechanisms to practical interventions aimed at mitigating the detrimental impacts of heat stress on crop productivity. By integrating state-of-the-art technologies like single-cell analysis, advanced genomics, computational biology, novel chemical priming stimulants and modern genetic approaches, the network bridges the gap between fundamental and applied research. PRIMER training on these techniques will empower the doctoral candidates with hands-on experience, fostering expertise at the forefront of plant stress biology. Moreover, the program emphasizes transferable skills such as interdisciplinary collaboration, communication, and leadership, ensuring researchers will address multifaceted challenges in sustainable agriculture.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-DN - HORIZON TMA MSCA Doctoral Networks

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-DN-01

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Coordinator

JOHANN WOLFGANG GOETHE-UNIVERSITAET FRANKFURT AM MAIN
Net EU contribution
€ 580 544,64
Address
THEODOR W ADORNO PLATZ 1
60323 Frankfurt Am Main
Germany
Region
Hessen Darmstadt Frankfurt am Main, Kreisfreie Stadt
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
No data

Participants (9)

Partners (15)