Project description
Novel technologies to study the unique plant cell–cell communication
Multicellular organisms have channels for nutrient exchange and communication between cells. Plants developed plasmodesmata, unique complex cell–cell connections traversing the cell walls. Plasmodesmata are involved in the selective transport of signals, ions, metabolites, RNAs and proteins. Presently, the composition, structure and regulation of plasmodesmatal conductance remain poorly understood. Novel technologies are now setting the stage for resolving the roles of plasmodesmata in transport and signalling using an interdisciplinary approach. The EU-funded SymPore project will use novel technologies of proximity labelling proteomics to obtain plasmodesmatal composition and electron tomography for structure elucidation. As plasmodesmata play key roles in plant nutrient allocation and virus spread, this project will enable novel biotech solutions in agriculture.
Objective
During evolution of multicellularity, cells differentiated to become specialized and interdependent. Multicellular organisms invented channels for nutrient exchange and communication between cells. Plants uniquely developed plasmodesmata, complex cell-cell connections traversing the cell wall. Roles ascribed to plasmodesmata include selective transport of signals, ions, metabolites, RNAs and proteins. Due to technical hurdles, composition, structure and regulation of plasmodesmatal conductance remain enigmatic. Genetic approaches to study plasmodesmata were hampered by lethality or redundancy. Novel technologies now set the stage for resolving roles of plasmodesmata in transport and signaling in an interdisciplinary approach. We will use proximity labeling proteomics to obtain plasmodesmatal composition, and PAINT and cryo electron tomography (cryoET) for near atomic structures. Models of plasmodesmata will be built from bottom up and top down approaches and combined with quantitative assessment of plasmodesmatal activity. Novel biosensor approaches together with knock down by genome editing will permit quantitation of transport of the diverse cargo. Single cell sequencing helps fine-tuning mutant selection and targeting of subtypes. Four labs will join forces: highly recognized experts in biophysics and cryoET (WB), advanced imaging and developmental signaling (RS), high-end proteomics and lipidomics (WS), and interactomics, transporters and cutting-edge biosensor technology (WF). We will iteratively address: (1) systematic quantitative identification of components, (2) their localization and dynamics, (3) structures and molecular building blocks of diverse plasmodesmatal types, and (4) transport and signaling mechanisms. We expect breakthrough discoveries and completely new understanding of plasmodesmatal function and evolution. Since plasmodesmata play key roles in nutrient allocation and virus spread, we lay the basis for novel biotech solutions in agriculture.
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: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering sensors biosensors
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology virology
- natural sciences biological sciences biophysics
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics RNA
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics genomes
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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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H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
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Topic(s)
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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.
ERC-SyG - Synergy grant
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2020-SyG
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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.
40225 Dusseldorf
Germany
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