Objective
The gut microbiota is a key symbiotic system that profoundly shapes host physiology and behaviour. In humans, it influences the brain and has been implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum conditions, where social deficits are a hallmark. Yet little is known about its role in social communication, the cornerstone of cohesion and survival in complex animal societies. In insects, gut bacteria are known to affect chemical communication, but these studies have been restricted to non-social species where the consequences for group survival remain limited. The SYMBIOS project will bridge this gap by investigating how the gut microbiota shapes pheromonal communication in eusocial insects, where colonies represent the highest expression of social life and function as superorganisms. The honey bee, Apis mellifera, whose interactions rely heavily on pheromones (social cues) and which plays a central role in global ecology and economy through its pollination services, offers an ideal model. Despite its importance, we still lack fundamental knowledge of how the microbiota impacts colony cohesion and thus social communication, which is its very cement, ultimately shaping the functioning of the colony as a superorganism. This project, hosted by Prof. Joanito Liberti (University of Geneva) with a secondment to Prof. Philipp Engel (University of Lausanne), will combine complementary expertise in microbiology, neuroethology, physiology and biochemical analyses to unravel the mechanisms underlying social communication in gut-colonized honey bees considered as holobionts. We will investigate how the presence or absence of gut microbiota affects pheromone production, neuronal detection and perception and behavioural responses in honey bees. By integrating these levels, the project will deliver novel insights into how microbial symbioses support social life, providing a timely and innovative perspective on the microbiota–brain–behaviour axis.
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 neurobiology
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology bacteriology
- natural sciences biological sciences ecology
- natural sciences biological sciences zoology entomology apidology
- natural sciences biological sciences biological behavioural sciences ethology biological interactions
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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.
1211 Geneve
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.