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Bacterial Symbiosis in Ascidians

Objectif

"The study of invertebrate-microbial associations is emerging as a prominent field in marine biology and biotechnology, with vast implications that range from a fundamental knowledge of host ecology and symbiont biodiversity to the advanced understanding of natural products discovery and sustainable production. While considerable incentives exist to unravel the complex metabolic interactions between host invertebrates and symbiotic microbes, basic questions regarding the biodiversity and stability of these relationships remain unanswered. Here, I propose to advance our knowledge on the genetic diversity, spatio-temporal variability and functional significance of microbial symbionts in ascidians. First, I propose to characterize the diversity and host-specificity of ascidian-microbial symbioses by massively parallel 16S rRNA gene tag pyrosequencing and comparison of microbial community partitioning in ascidians at the inter- and intra-species levels. Secondly, I will describe the dynamics and fidelity of invertebrate-microbial relationships by documenting spatial and temporal fluctuations of bacterial and archaeal communities in ascidians, utilizing the sensitive DNA fingerprinting technique T-RFLP in conjunction with 16S rRNA gene libraries from pyrosequencing. Finally, I will provide the first assessment of the contribution of autotrophic and heterotrophic symbionts to host metabolism over time by quantifying the stress levels and reproductive success of the host. The multi-scale and interdisciplinary research approach suggested here will provide for the first holistic account of host-symbiont interactions between ascidians and microbes."

Appel à propositions

FP7-PEOPLE-2010-RG
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Coordinateur

UNIVERSITAT DE BARCELONA
Contribution de l’UE
€ 87 500,00
Adresse
GRAN VIA DE LES CORTS CATALANES 585
08007 Barcelona
Espagne

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Région
Este Cataluña Barcelona
Type d’activité
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Contact administratif
Xavier Gutierrez (Mr.)
Liens
Coût total
Aucune donnée