SubsidieMeestersThe organization of the archaeal cell
ARCHCELLORG aims to investigate the cellular organization of archaea using live imaging and genetic tools to enhance understanding of cell division, polarity, and shape regulation, shedding light on evolutionary processes.
Projectdetails
Introduction
Archaea are microbes that form one of the three domains of life. While sharing similarities with both Bacteria and Eukarya, archaea possess unique features such as atypical lipid membranes, the archaellum motility apparatus, and exclusive metabolic pathways like methanogenesis.
Recent Advances in Archaeal Research
Studies over the last decade have substantially expanded the archaeal tree of life, revealing the tremendous diversity, widespread distribution, and vital ecological roles mediated by these organisms, as well as their crucial evolutionary placement as close relatives of eukaryotes. Despite these major advances regarding archaeal diversity, ecology, and evolution, our knowledge of archaeal cell biology remains limited, particularly due to the scarcity of model systems and suitable genetic and imaging tools.
Project Overview: ARCHCELLORG
In ARCHCELLORG, we propose to explore recent methodological advances, including the ability to perform live cell imaging on the model archaeon Haloferax volcanii, combined with genetics, physiology, biochemistry, and structural approaches, to unravel the mechanisms governing three fundamental aspects of archaeal cellular organization:
- Cell division
- Polarity
- Shape regulation
Aim 1: Cell Division
In Aim 1, we will elucidate the molecular composition of the archaeal division machinery and the mechanisms involved in its organization and placement at the division plane.
Aim 2: Cell Polarity
In Aim 2, we will identify the main regulators of cell polarity and characterize their modes of action.
Aim 3: Shape Regulation
In Aim 3, we will investigate regulators of shape transition and define the mechanisms by which they coordinate shape changes and motility.
Conclusion
Elucidating these processes will not only contribute to furthering our understanding of archaeal cell organization but will likely also provide valuable insights into the evolution of cellular life on Earth, including the processes that led to the emergence of eukaryotes.
Financiële details & Tijdlijn
Financiële details
| Subsidiebedrag | € 2.498.000 |
| Totale projectbegroting | € 2.498.000 |
Tijdlijn
| Startdatum | 1-10-2024 |
| Einddatum | 30-9-2029 |
| Subsidiejaar | 2024 |
Partners & Locaties
Projectpartners
- ALBERT-LUDWIGS-UNIVERSITAET FREIBURGpenvoerder
Land(en)
Vergelijkbare projecten binnen European Research Council
| Project | Regeling | Bedrag | Jaar | Actie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Light on our dark past: Elucidating the deep archaeal roots of eukaryotic cellular complexityDARK-ROOTS aims to uncover the emergence of eukaryotic cellular complexity by studying Asgard archaea through advanced cultivation, microscopy, and AI-guided structural genomics. | ERC Advanced... | € 2.500.000 | 2024 | Details |
Chromatin 3D architecture in ArchaeaThis project aims to investigate the 3D organization of archaeal chromatin using cryo-EM to uncover the evolutionary origins of chromatin complexity in eukaryotes. | ERC Starting... | € 1.494.500 | 2023 | Details |
Archaeal Virology: unravelling the mechanisms of interviral warfareThis project aims to investigate viral mechanisms that enable competition among viruses infecting archaea, with potential applications in enhancing human health and reducing methane emissions. | ERC Starting... | € 1.500.000 | 2022 | Details |
Deep single-cell phenotyping to identify governing principles and mechanisms of the subcellular organization of bacterial replicationThis project aims to uncover the internal architecture and molecular mechanisms of bacterial replication using a high-throughput single-cell phenomics approach to enhance our understanding of bacterial cell biology. | ERC Starting... | € 1.500.000 | 2022 | Details |
Symbiotic interactions at the origin of eukaryotesThis project aims to explore the ecological interactions and contributions of Asgard archaea and other bacteria in eukaryogenesis using advanced metagenomics and microscopy techniques. | ERC Advanced... | € 2.500.000 | 2024 | Details |
Light on our dark past: Elucidating the deep archaeal roots of eukaryotic cellular complexity
DARK-ROOTS aims to uncover the emergence of eukaryotic cellular complexity by studying Asgard archaea through advanced cultivation, microscopy, and AI-guided structural genomics.
Chromatin 3D architecture in Archaea
This project aims to investigate the 3D organization of archaeal chromatin using cryo-EM to uncover the evolutionary origins of chromatin complexity in eukaryotes.
Archaeal Virology: unravelling the mechanisms of interviral warfare
This project aims to investigate viral mechanisms that enable competition among viruses infecting archaea, with potential applications in enhancing human health and reducing methane emissions.
Deep single-cell phenotyping to identify governing principles and mechanisms of the subcellular organization of bacterial replication
This project aims to uncover the internal architecture and molecular mechanisms of bacterial replication using a high-throughput single-cell phenomics approach to enhance our understanding of bacterial cell biology.
Symbiotic interactions at the origin of eukaryotes
This project aims to explore the ecological interactions and contributions of Asgard archaea and other bacteria in eukaryogenesis using advanced metagenomics and microscopy techniques.