SubsidieMeestersDefusing mini-chromosomes—the Achilles’ heel of the wheat blast pandemic
The PANDEMIC project aims to develop non-transgenic wheat disease resistance by targeting a unique mini-chromosome in the virulent wheat blast fungus using gene editing and biophysical analysis.
Projectdetails
Introduction
PANDEMIC is an ambitious high-risk/high-gain program to deliver an innovative pathogen-guided strategy for crop disease resistance. The wheat blast pandemic is a clear and present danger to global food security. It is caused by the blast fungus, Magnaporthe oryzae, which, after emerging in Brazil only ~35 years ago, has spread over the last 5 years to Southeast Asia and Africa.
Background
We discovered that all isolates of the pandemic wheat blast fungus belong to a single, asexual clonal lineage. These pandemic isolates carry a supernumerary mini-chromosome (mChr) of ~2 Mb, which encodes 19 secreted effector (virulence) proteins and renders the pandemic lineage highly virulent. We propose that this mChr is the Achilles’ heel of the pandemic fungus.
Project Goals
In PANDEMIC, my team and I will target the mChr virulence properties by gene editing and engineering of disease resistance genes that target mChr-encoded effectors. The central hypothesis of this project is that detailed knowledge about the biophysical properties of pathogen effector-host target interactions can guide bioengineering of non-transgenic disease resistance in wheat.
Methodology
To achieve our goal, we will employ a multi-disciplinary approach combining genetics, structural biology, and gene editing. Specifically, we will pursue the following objectives:
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GENETICS: Determine the mChr-encoded effectors conferring high virulence on the pandemic wheat blast fungus.
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BIOPHYSICS: Define the biophysical properties of effector-host target interactions.
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IMMUNITY: Apply CRISPR/Cas gene editing to deliver innovative, non-transgenic solutions for blast disease management.
Expected Outcomes
At the completion of this project, my team and I will generate a detailed understanding of the biophysical properties of mChr-encoded effector-target protein complexes and deliver novel traits and non-transgenic solutions for developing resistance against the pandemic wheat blast fungus.
Financiële details & Tijdlijn
Financiële details
| Subsidiebedrag | € 1.499.999 |
| Totale projectbegroting | € 1.499.999 |
Tijdlijn
| Startdatum | 1-10-2023 |
| Einddatum | 30-9-2028 |
| Subsidiejaar | 2023 |
Partners & Locaties
Projectpartners
- MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN EVpenvoerder
Land(en)
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This project aims to uncover the mechanisms behind Wolbachia's antiviral protection in insects and develop tools for studying symbiont gene function.
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Vergelijkbare projecten uit andere regelingen
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3Dwheat, A 3 Dimensional functional genomics approach to identify hidden targets controlling heat stress and priming in wheatThis project aims to enhance heat stress resistance in wheat by developing a tri-dimensional functional genomics approach to understand epigenetic mechanisms and create innovative breeding tools. | ERC COG | € 1.999.995 | 2022 | Details |
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The role of plant microbiota in the evolution of fungal pathogens and their repertoires of secreted proteinsFungalSecrets aims to explore the role of diverse effector proteins in fungal pathogens' manipulation of plant microbiota and host invasion, using bioinformatics and molecular techniques to enhance crop resilience. | ERC COG | € 2.000.000 | 2023 | Details |
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3Dwheat, A 3 Dimensional functional genomics approach to identify hidden targets controlling heat stress and priming in wheat
This project aims to enhance heat stress resistance in wheat by developing a tri-dimensional functional genomics approach to understand epigenetic mechanisms and create innovative breeding tools.
Towards increased biosafety for non-target insects - Damage-activated proteolysis to selectively enhance toxicity of pesticides
This project aims to enhance pesticide biosafety by developing damage-activated pro-pesticides that selectively target harmful insects while protecting beneficial species, using insights from plant proteases.
The role of plant microbiota in the evolution of fungal pathogens and their repertoires of secreted proteins
FungalSecrets aims to explore the role of diverse effector proteins in fungal pathogens' manipulation of plant microbiota and host invasion, using bioinformatics and molecular techniques to enhance crop resilience.
In planta jet injection: Efficient genetic engineering of resilient crops
The project aims to develop affordable, high-throughput devices for efficient genome editing in crops to enhance yield and climate resilience, addressing global food security challenges by 2100.