Objective
Ophiocordyceps unilateralis is a species complex of entomopathogens known for their ability to manipulate the behavior of infected ants (zombie ants). While these behavioral effects are well described, the molecular basis for behavioral manipulation is still being explored. During my current postdoctoral fellowship with the National Science Foundation USA, I have identified a set of putative behavioral effectors and am currently utilizing the model organism yeast to express these biomolecules and test their behavioral effects in ants. This proposal will build on my previous work by utilizing another model organism, C. elegans, to analyze the transferability of these effectors to other animal models and to understand their effect on core neurological pathways. To accomplish this goal, I will collaborate with the Van den Heuvel lab at Utrecht University, a developmental biology team known for their excellence in the imaging of nematodes. Their access to a pre-established C. elegans Yeast-Two-Hybrid library and experience with the genetic modification of nematodes will be paramount in addressing three research objectives set for this project: identifying the biological targets of behavior-modifying effectors using Yeast-Two-Hybrid mating, analyzing the behavioral effects of these effectors via transgenic expression in C. elegans, and evaluating tissue-specific changes at the molecular level in C. elegans using mass spec. Such a project spans many biological subdisciplines, and thus, lends itself well to the international exchange of personnel, advanced training, and ideas, allowing me to make use of my experience with molecular cloning and acquire new skills handling and observing C. elegans. Furthermore, the study of Ophiocordyceps effectors present an innovative approach towards new drug discovery, particularly those with the potential to treat behavioral disorders as fungal secondary metabolites are often used for medications, impacting the public in a positive way.
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.
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy pharmaceutical drugs
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology mycology
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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-2022-PF-01
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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.
3584 CS Utrecht
Netherlands
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.