The TOLERATE Project wşth the title "Adaptation to climate change in the rhizosphere across the millennia" is carried out with 14 partners from 10 different countries. The project aims to enhance plant drought tolerance through soil biological enhancement using rhizosphere soil bacteria designed to produce drought-beneficial traits.
Within the scope of the project, ancient genes that experienced climate change, extreme heat, and drought events during past geological periods will be identified. In parallel, research will explore their biotechnological potential to develop new or improved bio-products with novel functions. Specifically, using a unique collection of paleo-environmental samples and ancient DNA metagenomes obtained from frozen Arctic soils and sediments dating back up to one million years, the project will provide insights into how rhizosphere biodiversity and functions responded to climate changes and extreme events.
Project website: https://tolerate-eu-project.com/
Keywords: Climate tolerance, extreme environments, rhizosphere biodiversity, DNA metagenomes, engineered soil bacteria, biopolymers, bio-production, osmo-protectants, enzymes.
