Phytosanitary products are major component of modern agriculture contributing to the substantial increase in yields and crop protection. Their accumulation in the environment presents risks to humans and living beings in front of a spectacular development of resistance to pesticides among target pests and diseases. Thereby, increasing global ecological and economic requirements tend to shift agriculture towards healthier production systems that take into account crop sustainability, environment and human health. Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are considered as an ecological alternative to pesticides thanks to several privileges notably their specificity of action, absence of toxic residues and spectacular genetic elasticity. Additional interesting features were recently attributed to entomopathogenic endophytes for plant protection and production. However, data published so far are variable and fail to Predict their bioecological roles accurately. Consequently, through a novel integrated research program, EFFECT will use cutting-edge experiments and analyses to disentangle and valorize the additional ecological roles of EPF in plant structure relating to systematic endophytic development and aggressor’s survival that underpin feedback mechanisms between plant and its ecosystem. The ultimate objective to be achieved is to boost the effectiveness of these micro biocontrol agents in order to make an innovative and feasible substitute to chemical insecticides. In addition to the scientific audience it may interest, the project might offer potential solutions for industrials and farmers to combat many pests and diseases whilst benefiting from ecological aspects to reduce chemical input into the environment. Accordingly, EFFECT combines multidisciplinary approaches to innovatively achieve objectives that are timely and in line with the current European and global research trends of which positive spin-offs will be achievable and measurable on different levels.

Olive oil is the main fat source in the Mediterranean Diet (MD). The healthy properties of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) are associated with a balanced composition between major and minor compounds. Among the minor fraction, phenolic compounds (PCs) stand out in terms of their health promoting properties. PCs are responsible for the only specific health claim for olive oil, recognized by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), indicating that PCs in olive oil contribute to the protection of blood lipids against oxidative damage. Furthermore, due to their antioxidant capability, PCs are anticipated to exert inhibitory effects on the formation of pro-oxidant species, including advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), which play a pivotal role in oxidative stress and inflammation-related pathologies. Phenols4Health aims to elucidate the health benefits of foods processed in EVOO through the transference of PCs and their potential to inhibit the formation of dietary AGEs (dAGEs). A comprehensive investigation will be conducted to assess the transference of EVOOs' PCs into foods of diverse compositions. This proposal will also explore the influence of the PCs' profile in blocking the formation of AGEs in foods processed with EVOO. Finally, the study will evaluate the profile of AGEs in serum samples collected from individuals adhering to a MD supplemented with EVOO and a low-fat diet. The methodology required for Phenols4Health is based on the use of liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for determination of the targeted species. The outcomes of this proposal hold the potential to make a profound impact at scientific, societal, and economic levels. By advancing the understanding of EVOO's health-enhancing properties and its role in inhibiting the formation of dAGEs, Phenols4Health will contribute to food science, nutrition, chemistry, and health fields, while fostering economic opportunities within the olive oil industry.

In the face of climate change, biodiversity loss and a rapidly growing population, global food security relies on improving agriculture production. However, it is equally crucial to limit or mitigate the environmental impact by developing sustainable and regenerative practices. Plant health strongly depends on plant-associated microbial communities, known as the microbiome, which can increase plant nutrient acquisition, tolerance to environmental stress, and resistance to diseases. Whereas most studies have focused exclusively on bacteria and, to a lesser extent, fungi, other plant-associated microbes like algae remain largely underappreciated in the plant microbiome. However, recent reports support that algae are ubiquitous in plant microbiomes and that (living) algae can improve plant fitness by promoting growth and increasing resistance against pathogens and abiotic stress. However, the underlying mechanisms of beneficial algal-plant interactions remain mostly unknown. Land plants evolved from a green algal ancestor and both, plants and algae, have co-evolved with interacting bacteria using similar mechanisms. Thus, algae, through their interactions with plant-associated bacteria, have the potential to influence the assembly and function of the microbiome itself. The AlgaeSphere project aims to uncover the overlooked potential of algal-bacterial interactions within the plant microbiome to improve plant growth in a circular bioeconomy model. By understanding the underpinnings of algal-bacterial interactions within the context of the plant microbiome, this project aims to reveal new players and emergent functions to improve the design of stable and higher-performing microbial consortia for sustainable agriculture and biotechnological applications for biofuel production and wastewater bioremediation.

Reproductive health is deteriorating worldwide, via as yet unknown mechanisms. The most common cause of in/subfertility in women is ovulatory dysfunction; anovulation being associated to conditions as polycystic ovary syndrome, hypothalamic amenorrhea and premature ovarian insufficiency. Hence, better understanding of the mechanisms controlling ovulation is mandatory for improved management of reproductive disorders. While hypothalamic GnRH neurons are the major output pathway for the brain control of ovulation, upstream Kiss1 neurons, particularly in the rostral hypothalamic area in rodents, have been suggested to be crucial for the timed activation of GnRH neurons and generation of the preovulatory surge of gonadotropins that drives ovulation. However, the major regulators of this Kiss1/GnRH pathway remains ill defined. Substance P (SP, encoded by Tac1), a member of the tachykinin (TAC) family that acts via the receptor, NK1R (encoded by Tacr1), has been shown to centrally regulate gonadotropin release, and, according to our preliminary data, might modulate the pre-ovulatory surge in mice. Yet, the patho-physiological relevance of SP/NK1R signaling in ovulatory control needs to be defined. Here, we will apply functional genomics and virogenetic approaches to assess the roles and mechanisms of action of SP/NK1R signaling in the control of ovulation, with special attention to its actions in Kiss1 and GnRH neurons. To this end, we will apply (i) virogenetic-driven Tacr1 silencing in Kiss1 and GnRH neurons; (ii) tracing techniques to map Tac1 neuronal projections to Kiss1 and GnRH neurons; and (ii) chemo-genetic manipulation of Tac1 neurons, via excitatory and inhibitory DREADDs, coupled to monitoring of gonadotropin secretion and ovulation. Our project, which is based on our solid preliminary data, will expand our understanding of the mechanisms controlling ovulation and female fertility, helping to define novel strategies for reproductive control in the future.