CHAETA · Chaetogenesis in Annelids illumina'ted
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2021-03-01 → 2023-02-28
- EU contribution
- €207,312
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
Chaetogenesis in Annelids illumina'ted
One of the most characteristic features of all annelid worms (segmented worms) is their chitinous bristles, or chaetae. These chitinous, extra-cellular structures can adopt highly complex and intricate morphological structures. In the past two decades, we have accumulated great morphological understanding of the inter- and intracellular interactions that form these hard structures. This process is called chaetogenesis and it is analogous to a biological 3D printer. One of the main objectives of CHAETA is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying chaetogenesis. This is a system that harbors tremendous potential for the development of biomimetic strategies. CHAETA aims to investigate chaetogenesis in both established annelid model systems (i.e., Capitella teleta, Platynereis dumerilii) and in the aberrant deep-sea annelid Osedax japonicus. Osedax is also known as the bone-devouring worm from whale-falls and has a unique biology. Male Osedax are minute and retain a larva-like appearance. In contrast to other annelids, their bristles develop only once and in a restricted time period. The aim of CHAETA is to take advantage of this unique condition to identify genetic markers involved in chaetogenesis. Whereas the investigation of chaetal development in model annelid species like C. teleta and P. dumerilli will allow establishing a base-line for more complex experimental designs.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
Chaetae, the chitinous bristles, of segmented worms are without a doubt one of their most characteristic features. A single cell, called chaetoblast, forms these complex extracellular structures, through an intricate interplay of the cytoskeleton and controlled polymerization of chitin. I have been investigating this fascinating system and published a series of papers describing the process of chaetal formation in various annelids using serial TEM and histology. With this proposed project I will combine my previous training and take the next logical step in the study of chaetogenesis; by investigating the molecular underpinnings of chaetal formation, focusing on chitin synthases. Chitin is one of the most dominant biopolymers in nature and a key building block of diverse extracellular structures. The bone eating worm Osedax japonicus will be the main focus of this study. Its fast and simple chaetal development, together with the drastic anatomical difference between males and females, renders it a perfect model to link the differential expression of chitin synthases to any relevant point of chaetogenesis that can be ultrastructurally profiled. Genetically well-examined annelid Capitella teleta will serve to test the functional genetics of chitin synthases using CRISPR/CAS9. This integrative approach combining advanced microscopical techniques with cutting-edge transcriptomics will result in a giant leap towards revealing the genetic network regulating chaetogenesis. I will be laying the groundwork to fully understand how morphologically complex, chitinous hard structures can be formed by a single cell. Elucidating the molecular and cellular mechanisms behind this process, that is comparable to a biological 3D printer, is highly relevant for not only annelid researchers but also to a broader scientific community studying biomechanics, biomineralization, cell-biology and even bionics.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- KOBENHAVNS UNIVERSITET · KOBENHAVNCoordinatorDenmark
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union