Summary
Biological invasions are one of the major threats to biodiversity worldwide, due to the many impacts and rapid spread of
invasive alien species (IAS). However, the exact mechanisms underlying invasiveness remain poorly understood. I
hypothesise that metagenomic plasticity may be involved in invasions, i.e. IAS may be able to quickly acclimate and adapt to
their new environment and oust native species thanks to the higher dynamism of their microbial community structure and/or
gene expression patterns. I will study microbiome dynamics in two phylogenetically-close mammals: a successful invader
(grey squirrel, Sciurus carolinensis) and a native species ousted by the former (red squirrel, Sciurus vulgaris), investigating
the diverse interplay among their gut microbiome, parasite infection, dietary flexibility and behaviour (individual personality). I
will employ an observational approach in a natural experimental setting, comparing variation in the microbiome-phenome
dynamics of the two species at both the individual-level (across seasons) and population-level (along a natural-urban
gradient). InvasOME will help disclose the mechanisms behind invasiveness and rapid adaptation of IAS, offering useful
insights that may prove relevant for the prevention and management of biological invasions. This project is highly
multidisciplinary and perfectly integrates several disciplines part of my skill set (invasion ecology, parasitology and
behavioural ecology) with state-of-the-art metagenomics in which I will receive advanced training by the proposed host, who
has a relevant experience and an innovative and interdisciplinary approach to these fields. I designed this project also to
enhance my transferable skills, making the most of the host institution initiatives. I am thus confident that InvasOME will both
open an under-explored line of research and at the same time greatly enhance my potential, helping my transition to an
independent researcher position.
invasive alien species (IAS). However, the exact mechanisms underlying invasiveness remain poorly understood. I
hypothesise that metagenomic plasticity may be involved in invasions, i.e. IAS may be able to quickly acclimate and adapt to
their new environment and oust native species thanks to the higher dynamism of their microbial community structure and/or
gene expression patterns. I will study microbiome dynamics in two phylogenetically-close mammals: a successful invader
(grey squirrel, Sciurus carolinensis) and a native species ousted by the former (red squirrel, Sciurus vulgaris), investigating
the diverse interplay among their gut microbiome, parasite infection, dietary flexibility and behaviour (individual personality). I
will employ an observational approach in a natural experimental setting, comparing variation in the microbiome-phenome
dynamics of the two species at both the individual-level (across seasons) and population-level (along a natural-urban
gradient). InvasOME will help disclose the mechanisms behind invasiveness and rapid adaptation of IAS, offering useful
insights that may prove relevant for the prevention and management of biological invasions. This project is highly
multidisciplinary and perfectly integrates several disciplines part of my skill set (invasion ecology, parasitology and
behavioural ecology) with state-of-the-art metagenomics in which I will receive advanced training by the proposed host, who
has a relevant experience and an innovative and interdisciplinary approach to these fields. I designed this project also to
enhance my transferable skills, making the most of the host institution initiatives. I am thus confident that InvasOME will both
open an under-explored line of research and at the same time greatly enhance my potential, helping my transition to an
independent researcher position.
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More information & hyperlinks
| Web resources: | https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101066225 |
| Start date: | 01-09-2023 |
| End date: | 31-08-2025 |
| Total budget - Public funding: | - 214 934,00 Euro |
Cordis data
Original description
Biological invasions are one of the major threats to biodiversity worldwide, due to the many impacts and rapid spread ofinvasive alien species (IAS). However, the exact mechanisms underlying invasiveness remain poorly understood. I
hypothesise that metagenomic plasticity may be involved in invasions, i.e. IAS may be able to quickly acclimate and adapt to
their new environment and oust native species thanks to the higher dynamism of their microbial community structure and/or
gene expression patterns. I will study microbiome dynamics in two phylogenetically-close mammals: a successful invader
(grey squirrel, Sciurus carolinensis) and a native species ousted by the former (red squirrel, Sciurus vulgaris), investigating
the diverse interplay among their gut microbiome, parasite infection, dietary flexibility and behaviour (individual personality). I
will employ an observational approach in a natural experimental setting, comparing variation in the microbiome-phenome
dynamics of the two species at both the individual-level (across seasons) and population-level (along a natural-urban
gradient). InvasOME will help disclose the mechanisms behind invasiveness and rapid adaptation of IAS, offering useful
insights that may prove relevant for the prevention and management of biological invasions. This project is highly
multidisciplinary and perfectly integrates several disciplines part of my skill set (invasion ecology, parasitology and
behavioural ecology) with state-of-the-art metagenomics in which I will receive advanced training by the proposed host, who
has a relevant experience and an innovative and interdisciplinary approach to these fields. I designed this project also to
enhance my transferable skills, making the most of the host institution initiatives. I am thus confident that InvasOME will both
open an under-explored line of research and at the same time greatly enhance my potential, helping my transition to an
independent researcher position.
Status
SIGNEDCall topic
HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01-01Update Date
09-02-2023
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