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 (e.g., redundancy, synthetic lethality). My group is developing multiplex CRISPR screens in plants to specifically overcome these limitations.
Genome-Wide Essential Genes Identification
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.
Development of New Technologies
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 approximately 10% of the P. patens genome and remove all non-essential DNA from one chromosome.
Adaptation of the SCRaMbLE System
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.
DNA Assembly Methods
Lastly, we will use a DNA assembly method developed in my lab to build biosynthetic pathways in vivo using modular DNA assembly methods.
Ambitious Objectives
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 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
| Project | Regeling | Bedrag | Jaar | Actie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Cyclic nucleotides as second messengers in plantsThis project aims to establish cAMP and cGMP as key second messengers in plant signaling by developing optogenetic tools to manipulate their levels and explore their roles in various pathways. | ERC Advanced... | € 2.499.706 | 2024 | Details |
Exploring the Holobiont concept through a Plant Evolutionary Experiment studyHoloE2Plant aims to validate the holobiont concept by studying the co-evolution of Brassica rapa and its microbiome using experimental evolution and high-throughput sequencing. | ERC Starting... | € 1.500.000 | 2022 | Details |
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 Proof of... | € 150.000 | 2023 | 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 Advanced... | € 2.500.000 | 2024 | Details |
In planta jet injection: Efficient genetic engineering of resilient cropsThe 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. | ERC Proof of... | € 150.000 | 2023 | Details |
Cyclic nucleotides as second messengers in plants
This project aims to establish cAMP and cGMP as key second messengers in plant signaling by developing optogenetic tools to manipulate their levels and explore their roles in various pathways.
Exploring the Holobiont concept through a Plant Evolutionary Experiment study
HoloE2Plant aims to validate the holobiont concept by studying the co-evolution of Brassica rapa and its microbiome using experimental evolution and high-throughput sequencing.
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.
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.
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.