Summary
RNA interference is a potent technology largely employed to trigger gene silencing and control specific biological processes. The
delivery of small RNA is one of the most intriguing challenges in RNAi technology. Smart nanomaterials for safe and effective RNA
delivery have been successfully exploited in animals, while a limited number of applications have been proposed in plants so far. The
present project aims to develop and to validate smart hydrogel for small RNA (siRNA and miRNA) delivery able to knock down the
expression of selected genes and ultimately promote osmotic stress tolerance in plants. To achieve these objectives, natural
hydrogels such as dextran, poly(ethylene glycol), chitosan and alginate will be synthesised and functionalised with small RNAs in
order to obtain nanomaterials with unique properties. Hydrogels will be applied to plant leaves and roots, both in vitro and in vivo. As
proof of concept, DAFNE will target control genes such as phytoene desaturase (PDS) and green fluorescent protein (GFP) in the
model species Arabidopis thaliana, whose knockdown phenotypes are well-known and easily detected. Subsequently, functional
hydrogels will deliver stress-related miRNAs in order to develop drought tolerant plants in A. thaliana and in a representative food
crop Solanum tuberosum.
Merging distinct expertise, DAFNE will offer the candidate researcher multidisciplinary training in the field of plant biology and
genetics, as well as in molecular and cell biology, which will expand her skills, currently based on chemical engineering.
delivery of small RNA is one of the most intriguing challenges in RNAi technology. Smart nanomaterials for safe and effective RNA
delivery have been successfully exploited in animals, while a limited number of applications have been proposed in plants so far. The
present project aims to develop and to validate smart hydrogel for small RNA (siRNA and miRNA) delivery able to knock down the
expression of selected genes and ultimately promote osmotic stress tolerance in plants. To achieve these objectives, natural
hydrogels such as dextran, poly(ethylene glycol), chitosan and alginate will be synthesised and functionalised with small RNAs in
order to obtain nanomaterials with unique properties. Hydrogels will be applied to plant leaves and roots, both in vitro and in vivo. As
proof of concept, DAFNE will target control genes such as phytoene desaturase (PDS) and green fluorescent protein (GFP) in the
model species Arabidopis thaliana, whose knockdown phenotypes are well-known and easily detected. Subsequently, functional
hydrogels will deliver stress-related miRNAs in order to develop drought tolerant plants in A. thaliana and in a representative food
crop Solanum tuberosum.
Merging distinct expertise, DAFNE will offer the candidate researcher multidisciplinary training in the field of plant biology and
genetics, as well as in molecular and cell biology, which will expand her skills, currently based on chemical engineering.
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More information & hyperlinks
| Web resources: | https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101110903 |
| Start date: | 01-10-2023 |
| End date: | 30-09-2025 |
| Total budget - Public funding: | - 188 590,00 Euro |
Cordis data
Original description
RNA interference is a potent technology largely employed to trigger gene silencing and control specific biological processes. Thedelivery of small RNA is one of the most intriguing challenges in RNAi technology. Smart nanomaterials for safe and effective RNA
delivery have been successfully exploited in animals, while a limited number of applications have been proposed in plants so far. The
present project aims to develop and to validate smart hydrogel for small RNA (siRNA and miRNA) delivery able to knock down the
expression of selected genes and ultimately promote osmotic stress tolerance in plants. To achieve these objectives, natural
hydrogels such as dextran, poly(ethylene glycol), chitosan and alginate will be synthesised and functionalised with small RNAs in
order to obtain nanomaterials with unique properties. Hydrogels will be applied to plant leaves and roots, both in vitro and in vivo. As
proof of concept, DAFNE will target control genes such as phytoene desaturase (PDS) and green fluorescent protein (GFP) in the
model species Arabidopis thaliana, whose knockdown phenotypes are well-known and easily detected. Subsequently, functional
hydrogels will deliver stress-related miRNAs in order to develop drought tolerant plants in A. thaliana and in a representative food
crop Solanum tuberosum.
Merging distinct expertise, DAFNE will offer the candidate researcher multidisciplinary training in the field of plant biology and
genetics, as well as in molecular and cell biology, which will expand her skills, currently based on chemical engineering.
Status
SIGNEDCall topic
HORIZON-MSCA-2022-PF-01-01Update Date
31-07-2023
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