In a significant achievement for plant science, Professor Christine Faulkner and her team at the John Innes Centre have been awarded the prestigious European Research Council (ERC) Advanced Grant. This esteemed funding supports established researchers who have a track record of significant contributions in their fields, enabling them to embark on ambitious and curiosity-driven projects.
Expressing her excitement about the grant, Professor Faulkner said:
"This funding will take our discovery research into cell-to-cell communication in new directions. I am extremely excited about the possibilities and opportunities this will open."
Unveiling the Secrets of Plant Cell Communication
The newly funded project, ACUTE (Apoplastic Signalling Communicates Emergency Responses), builds upon the Faulkner group's previous studies on how amino acids move through plant tissues and activate responses in neighboring cells. ACUTE aims to delve deeper into the mechanisms by which various molecules traverse between cells, acting as messengers in reaction to environmental stresses.
Professor Faulkner explained the project's objectives:
"We have proposed that the transmission of these signalling molecules is dependent on physical and measurable parameters. ACUTE aims to determine these parameters and use them to predict which cells and tissues will respond to different stress signals under different conditions. This way, we can predict the overall impact of different stresses across the whole plant."
The research will investigate how signalling molecules are released, the distances they travel, and the specific information they convey. Understanding these processes is crucial for predicting plant responses to stress, which has significant implications for agriculture and ecosystem management.
Recognition from European Leadership
Iliana Ivanova, the European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, highlighted the importance of supporting pioneering research:
"This investment nurtures the next generation of brilliant minds. I look forward to seeing the resulting breakthroughs and fresh advancements in the years ahead."
Similarly, Professor Maria Leptin, President of the European Research Council, congratulated the grant recipients:
"Congratulations to the 255 researchers who will receive grants to follow their scientific instinct in this new funding round. I am particularly happy to see more mid-career scientists among the Advanced Grant winners this time. I hope that it will encourage more researchers at this career stage to apply for these grants."
About the ERC Advanced Grants
The ERC Advanced Grants are among Europe's most competitive and prestigious funding opportunities, providing leading researchers with the resources to pursue high-risk, high-reward projects that could lead to significant scientific breakthroughs. In this funding cycle, nearly €652 million has been allocated as part of the EU's Horizon Europe programme.
This year, the ERC received 1,829 proposals, with approximately 14% selected for funding. Successful candidates will conduct their research at universities and institutes across 19 EU Member States and associated countries, with significant numbers in Germany (50 grants), France (37), and the Netherlands (23). The grant recipients represent a diverse group of nationalities, including Germans (50 researchers), French (31), British (28), Italians (22), and scientists from 28 other countries.
Estimates suggest that these grants will create around 2,480 jobs within the new research teams, contributing to the growth of the European scientific community.
Encouraging Mid-Career Researchers
An encouraging trend in this funding round is the increased success of mid-career researchers—those 12 to 17 years post-PhD. This group secured 18% of the Advanced Grants in the latest round, reflecting the ERC's commitment to supporting researchers at various stages of their careers and fostering the next generation of scientific leaders.
About the European Research Council
Established by the European Union in 2007, the European Research Council is the premier European funding organization for excellent frontier research. It supports creative researchers of any nationality and age to run projects across Europe, promoting groundbreaking discoveries and innovation.
The ERC offers four main grant schemes:
- Starting Grants
- Consolidator Grants
- Advanced Grants
- Synergy Grants
Additionally, the ERC provides Proof of Concept Grants to help bridge the gap between pioneering research and the early stages of commercialization.
The ERC is governed by an independent body, the Scientific Council, and since November 2021, it has been led by President Maria Leptin. With a budget exceeding €16 billion from 2021 to 2027 under the Horizon Europe programme, the ERC plays a crucial role in advancing European research and innovation. The organization operates under the responsibility of European Commissioner Iliana Ivanova.
Note: Professor Christine Faulkner's groundbreaking work in plant cell communication stands to make significant contributions to our understanding of how plants respond to environmental stresses. The ACUTE project exemplifies the kind of innovative research that the ERC Advanced Grants are designed to support, promising insights that could have wide-ranging implications for agriculture and sustainability.
As Europe continues to invest in scientific excellence, initiatives like this not only advance knowledge but also inspire the next generation of researchers to pursue bold and impactful science.