Objective
Blastocystis is a unicellular human intestinal parasite, of controversial pathogenicity, that belongs to a diverse eukaryotic phylum called the Stramenopiles. Since Blastocystis is a strict anaerobe, it was thought that it might possess hydrogenosomes, anaerobic ATP-generating organelles related to mitochondria. In contrast to typical hydrogenosomes, Blastocystis has mitochondrion-like organelles (MLOs) with cristae, a transmembrane potential and DNA. Recent work has demonstrated a mitochondrial genome and bioinformatics analyses of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) have identified 115 putative mitochondrial and hydrogenosomal proteins. Amongst these was [FeFe]-hydrogenase, a hydrogenosomal marker protein that was shown to be localized to the MLOs. The organelles are also predicted to have canonical mitochondrial pathways for amino acid metabolism, iron-sulphur (Fe-S) cluster biogenesis and an incomplete tricarboxylic acid cycle. These data suggest that Blastocystis MLOs may be some kind of metabolic intermediate between mitochondria and hydrogenosomes. To test the predicted functions of these MLOs, I will immunolocalize and functionally characterize components of several of its predicted pathways including Fe/S cluster biosynthesis, amino acid metabolism and mitochondrial import. Furthermore, I will purify the Blastocystis MLOs for in vivo assays and proteomic analyses. With these methods I aim to identify the biochemical raison d’être of the mitochondria-like organelle for the parasite. By comparing its pathways with those in other eukaryote lineages, I will determine: (1) the unique biochemical properties of Blastocystis MLO, (2) how Blastocystis MLOs have adapted to an anaerobic and parasitic lifestyle, and (3) how environmental stimuli affect the metabolism of these MLOs. This project will provide basic information on the essential functions mitochondria across eukaryotic diversity as well as illuminate the metabolic plasticity of these fundamental organelles.
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 DNA
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- natural sciences chemical sciences organic chemistry amines
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics genomes
You need to log in or register to use this function
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-IOF-2008
See other projects for this call
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
116 36 Praha 1
Czechia
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.