BioMatNet Item: QLK3-2002-02032 - Functional genomics and proteomics of Trichoderma antagonist strains for industry and agriculture (TRICHOEST)

[BioMatNet Database - FP5 Quality of Life Programme]

QLK3-2002-02032
Functional genomics and proteomics of Trichoderma antagonist strains for industry and agriculture (TRICHOEST)

Contacts

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Agriculture : Quality of Life - 3. The Cell Factory

Type of Project	Shared Cost Research
Contract No	QLK3-2002-02032
Total Cost
EC Contribution	2,852,507 EUR
Start Date	01-12-2002
Duration	36 Months

Abstract

Project aims to identify genes and gene products from Trichoderma antagonists with biotechnology value, to assess their industrial potential, and to exploit and commercialise them in concert with EU biotechnology strategy. The project will involve extensive research into the Trichoderma genome, but is not a sequencing programme. Instead, it will develop integrated functional genomic and proteomic approaches and innovative use of bioinformatics, leading to rapid exploitation of genes and gene products and their transformation into industrial processes. Technologies achieved will have applications in a range of agro-industrial, environmental and medical activities, including innovations in agricultural pest and pathogen management leading to reduction in use of unsustainable chemical control measures, novel antibiotics and enzymes with industrial uses involving processing of plant-derived matter, including animal feeds, composting and bioremediation.

Objectives

The project aims to identify genes and gene products from Trichoderma antagonists with biotechnology value, to assess their industrial potential, and to exploit and commercialise them in concert with EU biotechnology strategy. The technologies derived from the functional study of the Trichoderma genome will have applications in a wide range of agro-industrial, environmental and medical activities. These include innovations in agricultural pest and pathogen management leading to reduction in use of unsustainable chemical control measures, novel antibiotics and enzymes with multiple industrial uses involving processing of plant-derived matter, including animal feeds, composting, bioremediation, waste management etc. The project will develop integrated functional genomic and proteomic approaches, innovative use of bioinformatics and novel screening methods for biological activities leading to rapid exploitation of genes and gene products and their transformation into industrial processes.

Activities

The project will involve extensive research into the Trichoderma genome, but is not a sequencing programme. Instead, it will develop integrated functional genomic and proteomic approaches and innovative use of bioinformatics to select genes which biological activity will be further identified. Three related work lines will be developed:

1. isolation, identification and characterisation of Trichoderma genes and gene products of potential biotechnology value:

building and arraying an EST library of genes expressed in conditions related to interactions between antagonist, fungal host and/or plants, from a set of Trichoderma strains representing a wide range of biocontrol biodiversity.
building DNA-arrays containing sequences from the EST library to study the expression of genes in specific conditions where Trichoderma strains produce compounds and/or perform activities with potential interest.
building a proteomic library of extracellular and intracellular proteins involved in antagonistic response.
selection of genes and gene products involved in biological activities with potential agricultural and industrial applications using integrated bioinformatic analysis of the EST, proteomic and DNA-array data.

2. production of gene products in sufficient quantity for activity screening:

expression of selected genes (cDNAs) using both in vitro and in vivo expression systems.
in vitro high throughput expression of cDNAs from several Trichoderma strains.
in vivo heterologous and/or homologous expression, using yeast (Pichia) and Trichoderma.

3. functional analysis of gene products using novel high throughput systems for screening biological activities with application potential, including:

polymer and cell wall degrading activities.
antimicrobial (antibacterial and antifungal) activities.
systemic resistance inducing activities.
plant growth promoting activities.

Deliverables

an EST database of at least 7000 unique sequences from a wide representation of biodiversity within the genus Trichoderma
selection of a set of gene and gene products with potential biotechnology value.
novel in vitro and in vivo high throughput screening methods to detect activities with agro-industrial applications.
identification of genes and gene products with biotechnological value in the agri-food, medical and other industrial sectors.

Contacts

Coordinator

Manuel Rey BARRERA / Newbiotechnic, S.A. Research & Development / SPAIN

Participant