Objective
Aphids, like whiteflies, leafhoppers and planthoppers, are hemipteran sap-feeding insects of plants. Aphid feeding results in induction of plant defences, which during successful aphid infestation become suppressed. Several studies showed that aphid salivary gland proteins can suppress host defences and are important for aphid survival. Aphid salivary glands are complex consisting of multiple lobes with distinct cell types, each of which secrete distinct sets of proteins that could manipulate plant processes. If true, the salivary gland is a key organ that ensures delivery of effector proteins into plants via the insect stylet. Despite the importance of sap-feeding insects in agriculture, few researchers study the role of salivary gland proteins in plant infestation. Recently, genomics resources have become available, offering unprecedented opportunities for investigating the perturbations aphids cause in plants. The aim is to identify and characterize salivary gland proteins of two aphid species, Myzus persicae (green peach aphid), and Acyrthosiphon pisum (pea aphid) and to elucidate how these proteins enhance feeding and affect host range specificity. We hypothesize that aphids produce and secrete salivary gland proteins during plant infestation that 1) enable the insects to feed and survive by modulating host cell processes and 2) determine host range. We will apply a proteomics-based approach to identify and compare secreted proteins produced by M. persicae and A. pisum salivary glands and generate catalogues of salivary gland proteins with potential roles in plant infestation and host range specificity. In addition, we will functionally characterize M. persicae and A. pisum salivary gland proteins with regards to their ability to modulate host cell responses to enable plant infestation. This research will facilitate the development of aphid resistant plant varieties, which in turn, will decrease the use of insecticides and improve the environment globally.
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 biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- natural sciences biological sciences zoology entomology
- agricultural sciences agriculture, forestry, and fisheries agriculture agronomy plant breeding
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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.
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.
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.
FP7-PEOPLE-IRG-2008
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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.
Coordinator
NR4 7UH NORWICH
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.