RhizoMiR · Rhizosphere microbiome recruitment by plants : Expansion of microRNA roles
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2021-11-01 → 2024-06-23
- EU contribution
- €184,708
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
Rhizosphere microbiome recruitment by plants : Expansion of microRNA roles
An innovative strategy for sustainable "green" agriculture is urgently needed to reduce reliance on fertilizers and pesticides. Research has shown that microorganisms in the rhizosphere—the area surrounding plant roots—play a crucial role in influencing plant physiology and development. Therefore, modifying the rhizosphere microbiome could be a promising approach to sustainable agriculture. Recent studies have revealed that microRNAs secreted by multicellular eukaryotic hosts can serve as signals affecting the viability of specific microorganisms, including pathogens. The RhizoMir project investigates a novel mechanism for attracting beneficial microorganisms, such as bacteria, through plant roots. This process involves the secretion of microRNAs by the plant roots. The hypothesis is that these microRNAs, when taken up by microorganisms, alter the gene expression of these microorganisms in ways that benefit the plant. For instance, this could promote the presence of beneficial microorganisms that produce essential nutrients for the plant or inhibit the growth of harmful microorganisms, such as pathogenic strains. Findings from the RhizoMir project include the discovery of extracellular vesicles containing these microRNAs. Key results have led to the identification of candidate microorganism genes associated with specific biological pathways. The impact of the RhizoMir project is significant for synthetic biology, particularly in bioengineering the production of natural RNA-containing exosomes as an alternative to pesticides and fertilizers.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
An innovative strategy for sustainable ‘green’ agriculture to substitute to the use of fertilizer and pesticides is urgently needed. In plants, the micro-organisms of the rhizosphere associated with the plant root, are known to affect the physiology and the development of the plant. Therefore, modulating the microbiome of the rhizosphere may be a promising strategy to achieve sustainable green agriculture. Recent research has shown that miRNAs secreted by eukaryotic host can act as an interkingdom signal to impact the viability of specific micro-organisms, including pathogens. Therefore, this EU proposal aims to explore the impact of miRNAs secreted by the plant root on the composition and gene expression of the rhizosphere microbiome. The objectives are (1) to identify specific secreted miRNAs that may influence the rhizosphere microbiome composition, (2) to analyse the biological features of the secreted miRNA-containing vesicles, (3) to understand how specific secreted miRNAs influence microbiome gene expression, (4) to determine in natura the repertoire of miRNA and associated microbiome for selected plants of agricultural interest. A combination of metagenomic and transcriptomic analysis of the soil rhizosphere from plant models (Arabidopsis thaliana and Brachypodium distachyon) under laboratory condition, as well as with selected plants of agricultural interest in natura conditions will be undertaken. The spectrum of activity of specific, or combinations of, secreted miRNAs will be also explored using A. thaliana knock-out mutants, or by perturbation of the secreted miRNAs in the WT plant using a strategy based on innovative miPEP technology. Ultimately this research can have application for miRNA-based modulation of the microbiomes of halobionts, including plants of agricultural interest. The unique complementarity of expertise between the fellow and his supervisor, completed by a well designed training program, will allow him to take up this challenge.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- UNIVERSITE DE RENNES · RennesCoordinatorFrance
Links
- View on CORDIS
- DOI: 10.3030/101023714
- https://oseren.univ-rennes.fr/actualites/projet-rhizomir-ecobio-laureat-dune-marie-sklodowska-curie
Data: CORDIS, © European Union