Project description
Decoding fractured DNA from our planet’s microbes
Microbes act as the hidden engines driving Earth by cycling essential nutrients and regulating climate. However, how their genes function remains mysterious. Traditional analysis fails to decipher this ‘microbial dark matter’ because DNA collected from nature is usually fragmented. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the PANDORA project aims to develop a smart machine learning tool trained on thousands of complete genomes to understand how genes cooperate. This approach can accurately predict gene function despite fragmented data. Researchers will map microbial evolution, revealing when traits such as respiration and antibiotic resistance first appeared. They will also launch a large-scale open-access model library. Unlocking this genomic data will inspire new industrial enzymes and improve climate models by clarifying how microbes cycle global nutrients.
Objective
"Microbes are the hidden engines of our planet, yet the function of most of their genes remains a mystery (the ""microbial dark matter""). Our understanding is held back because we typically recover only incomplete genomes from nature, making traditional analysis methods unreliable. This project will build PANDORA, a powerful predictive tool designed to overcome this fundamental barrier. PANDORA uses a phylogenetically-aware machine learning approach, trained on thousands of complete genomes, to learn the complex rules of which genes work together. This unique method allows it to accurately predict gene function even in fragmented data, distinguishing a truly absent gene from one that is simply missing. The project will: 1. Create the first large-scale, open-access library of predictive models for the global scientific community. 2. Discover the roles of thousands of unknown genes, generating a public roadmap for future biological research. 3. Reconstruct a timeline of microbial evolution, revealing when key processes like respiration and antibiotic resistance first emerged on Earth. By turning genomic data into functional knowledge, PANDORA will accelerate discovery. Its applications will advance Europe's bioeconomy through the discovery of novel enzymes, support public health by identifying new targets to combat antimicrobial resistance, and improve climate models by clarifying the role of microbes in global nutrient cycles."
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 physical sciences astronomy planetary sciences planets
- social sciences economics and business economics bioeconomy
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics genomes
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins enzymes
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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-2025-PF
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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.
8092 Zuerich
Switzerland
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.