IndVarGen

Phenotypic plasticity is the ability of a given genotype to produce different phenotypes depending of environmental circumstances. Plasticity of cells and organisms and have been documented across the tree of life, including bacteria, fungi, plants, invertebrates and vertebrates. The study of the molecular pathways that allow genotype-environment interactions to produce distinct phenotypes has relevant implications both in agriculture to maximize crop yields and in biomedical research to predict individual responses to treatments or mitigate hereditary disorders, just to mention some examples. The objective of this network is to train a group of 15 young scientists with the practical skills and knowledge necessary to explore the mechanistic principles underlying inter-individual variability (from single cells transcriptomics, to quantitative analysis of phenotypic traits -among others) in various contexts. In broad terms, this network scientific focus will be studying inter individual variability using a wide array of tools and approaches to ensure the higher likelihood of success. The research projects will be carried out in various models : including unicellular models (Yeast and mammalian cell cultures , model organisms (A. thaliana and C. elegans), and agricultural crops (Prunus avium - cherry tree); and will tackle several key aspects of variability both at the molecular level (transcriptomics, translation regulation) or at the organism level (quantitative phenotyping of both plants and animal responses to environmental conditions, and exposure to drug treatments). We will submit our proposal to the MSCA DN program (Doctoral Networks). The objective of Doctoral Networks is to implement doctoral programmes by partnerships of organisations from different sectors across Europe and beyond to train highly skilled doctoral candidates, stimulate their creativity, enhance their innovation capacities and boost their employability in the long-term. Doctoral Networks are open to international consortia of universities, research institutions, businesses, SMEs and other non-academic organisations. They should include: at least three independent legal entities, each established in a different EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country and with at least one of them established in an EU Member State, on top of this minimum, other organisations from any country in the world can also join. The program covers for the salaries and environment support of 15 theses spread between the participating partners for a global budget of around 3,800,000€ for the network. Our proposal will strive to emphasize the interdisciplinary and intersectorial nature of the training that will be provided to the Doctoral Candidates. Our objective is to provide each of them with significant exposure to both academic and industrial research settings. They will also be working at the interface of several models to help them build a solid scientific foundation on the various advantages of each of them. The program will build the fondation for an international consortium that will hope can provide similar training o student for the long term.