SubsidieMeestersDeveloping technologies to engineer plant genomes at the megabase scale
The OMEGA project aims to identify essential plant genes and develop Megabase-scale genome editing tools to enhance genomics and synthetic biology applications in plants.
Projectdetails
Introduction
Genomics research combined with revolutionary genome editing tools has created new opportunities to explore fundamental aspects of biology and develop novel (bio)technologies for medicine, agriculture, and industry. The OMEGA project is designed to build on these developments by enabling Megabase-scale engineering of plant genomes.
Essential Genes in Plants
Experimentally-determined lists of essential genes have been crucial for such large-scale projects in other species but are currently unavailable in plants. Therefore, the OMEGA project needs to determine which plant genes are essential for growth and development.
Limitations of Current Technologies
However, the standard technologies used to identify essential genes are limited by genetic interactions, such as:
- Redundancy
- Synthetic lethality
My group is developing multiplex CRISPR screens in plants to specifically overcome these limitations.
Genome-Wide Essential Genes
The OMEGA project will use this capability to identify genome-wide essential genes and genetic interactions in Physcomitrium patens. This will be the first systematic genetic interaction screen in plants and will likely identify interactions conserved across the green lineage.
Megabase-Scale Engineering
The OMEGA project will also develop technologies to move, edit, and delete DNA at the Megabase scale. As proof-of-concept, I aim to:
- Reduce ~10% of the P. patens genome
- Remove all non-essential DNA from one chromosome
The SCRaMbLE system will be adapted for P. patens and used as an alternative approach to minimize chromosomes and also perform in planta directed evolution.
Biosynthetic Pathways Development
Lastly, we will use a DNA assembly method developed in my lab to build biosynthetic pathways in vivo using modular DNA assembly methods.
Conclusion
These tools will create opportunities to explore fundamental aspects of genomics, chromosomal biology, and synthetic biology. The objectives of project OMEGA are necessarily ambitious, as these technologies will allow us to perform controlled, Megabase-scale engineering projects in plant genomes that are not possible with the current generation of genome editing tools.
Financiële details & Tijdlijn
Financiële details
| Subsidiebedrag | € 1.496.250 |
| Totale projectbegroting | € 1.496.250 |
Tijdlijn
| Startdatum | 1-7-2022 |
| Einddatum | 30-6-2027 |
| Subsidiejaar | 2022 |
Partners & Locaties
Projectpartners
- VIB VZWpenvoerder
Land(en)
Vergelijkbare projecten binnen European Research Council
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|---|---|---|---|---|
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MANUNKIND: Determinants and Dynamics of Collaborative Exploitation
This project aims to develop a game theoretic framework to analyze the psychological and strategic dynamics of collaborative exploitation, informing policies to combat modern slavery.
Elucidating the phenotypic convergence of proliferation reduction under growth-induced pressure
The UnderPressure project aims to investigate how mechanical constraints from 3D crowding affect cell proliferation and signaling in various organisms, with potential applications in reducing cancer chemoresistance.
Uncovering the mechanisms of action of an antiviral bacterium
This project aims to uncover the mechanisms behind Wolbachia's antiviral protection in insects and develop tools for studying symbiont gene function.
The Ethics of Loneliness and Sociability
This project aims to develop a normative theory of loneliness by analyzing ethical responsibilities of individuals and societies to prevent and alleviate loneliness, establishing a new philosophical sub-field.
Vergelijkbare projecten uit andere regelingen
| Project | Regeling | Bedrag | Jaar | Actie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Next-generation multi-targeted CRISPR genetic toolbox uncovers hidden breeding traitsMulti-Crop technology utilizes genome-scale multi-targeted CRISPR libraries to uncover hidden genetic traits in crops, revolutionizing plant breeding for enhanced resilience and productivity. | ERC POC | € 150.000 | 2023 | Details |
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Limited proteolysis mechanisms in plants for selective protein translation to improve heat tolerancePLANTEX aims to enhance crop heat tolerance by exploring proteolytic pathways and coregulons in Arabidopsis and tomato, ultimately improving food security through innovative breeding strategies. | ERC COG | € 1.908.375 | 2024 | Details |
Plant mitochondrial genome engineering: technology development and application to study fundamental aspects of mitochondrial gene expressionPlaMitEng aims to enable genetic engineering of plant mitochondrial genomes through novel editing and transformation technologies, unlocking new research and biotechnology opportunities. | ERC ADG | € 2.500.000 | 2024 | Details |
Next-generation multi-targeted CRISPR genetic toolbox uncovers hidden breeding traits
Multi-Crop technology utilizes genome-scale multi-targeted CRISPR libraries to uncover hidden genetic traits in crops, revolutionizing plant breeding for enhanced resilience and productivity.
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.
Limited proteolysis mechanisms in plants for selective protein translation to improve heat tolerance
PLANTEX aims to enhance crop heat tolerance by exploring proteolytic pathways and coregulons in Arabidopsis and tomato, ultimately improving food security through innovative breeding strategies.
Plant mitochondrial genome engineering: technology development and application to study fundamental aspects of mitochondrial gene expression
PlaMitEng aims to enable genetic engineering of plant mitochondrial genomes through novel editing and transformation technologies, unlocking new research and biotechnology opportunities.