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Background and challenges

The study of multiple stresses shows that the impact of combined stresses is different from the sum of the impacts of individual stresses. How then can the impact of combined stresses be predicted by knowing only the impact of single stresses?

This conclusion is based on studies comparing lists of differential genes/metabolites subjected to individual stresses with the same lists subjected to combined stresses. However, these analyses are based on too few biological replicates (typically 3 in RNA-seq), which are insufficient to produce a robust and meaningful analysis, and only identify about 20% of the genes that are differentially expressed under the two stress conditions. This may partly explain the discrepancies observed between single and multiple stress conditions.

Goals

The Peersim project proposes to effectively re-evaluate the prediction of combined stresses from individual stresses, by conducting an experiment combining 2 stresses: CO₂ and heat, with numerous replicates (~20).

Beyond the biological relevance of this dataset in the context of climate change, the project will allow progress on three essential points for the study of plant response to combined stresses:

1. The Peersim project proposes to effectively re-evaluate the prediction of combined stresses from individual stresses, by conducting an experiment combining 2 stresses: CO₂ and heat, with numerous replicates (~20).Beyond the biological relevance of this dataset in the context of climate change, the project will allow progress on three essential points for the study of plant response to combined stresses:
2. Develop and propose meaningful experimental designs.
3. Develop and evaluate recent analysis and integration methodologies.

Contacts :

Units involved and partners

INRAE participants