Objective
Underground, mycorrhizal fungi build complex networks to engage in symbiotic nutrient transfer with plants, exchanging soil nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen) for plant-derived carbon. These plant-fungal partnerships play a critical role in carbon cycling, mineral uptake, and ecosystem resilience. Recent research from the host group and others has found that mycorrhizal fungi exhibit complex behaviours that regulate nutrient exchange with their plant hosts. Yet, despite their ecological importance, the cellular dynamics and the signals that enable these sophisticated behaviours across mycelial networks lacking central organisation remain unknown.
Through a new biophysical approach, COMYCO seeks to unravel how mycorrhizal fungi mediate their behaviour to engage in symbiotic trade. I will develop micromanipulation techniques to deliver (1) localised perturbations at the cellular level and (2) network-scale stimuli that alter the growth environment. These stimuli will perturb nutrient transport machinery, metabolism and host availability to trigger behavioural responses. Leveraging robotic imaging technologies from the host lab, I will quantify responses from individual hyphae (microns) to entire networks (centimetres). This will enable unprecedented stimulus-response experimental paradigms that quantify mycorrhizal behaviour in real time. To explore the exact signals that mediate these responses, I build on my expertise in microfabricated glass probe techniques and the host lab’s strength in fluorescence imaging, quantifying (1) electric membrane potential, (2) intracellular calcium concentration, and (3) turgor pressure in fungal signalling processes.
Integrating these cross-scale experiments through biophysical analyses, my research will establish a new mechanistic understanding of how coordinated behaviours emerge in a network devoid of central organisation. These new insights will impact future interventions for sustaining biodiversity, agriculture and climate.
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 chemical sciences inorganic chemistry alkaline earth metals
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology mycology
- engineering and technology materials engineering amorphous solids
- natural sciences biological sciences ecology ecosystems
- agricultural sciences agriculture, forestry, and fisheries agriculture
You need to log in or register to use this function
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.
-
HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
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
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
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
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
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.
3526 KV 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.