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Università degli Studi di Milano

Paolo Pesaresi (CO), Simona Masiero, Sara Pellegrino, Silvia Toffolatti, Luca Tadini, Stefano Pieraccini, Chiara Mizzotti, Fatima Agharbaoui, Giuliana Maddalena, Andrea Tagliani, Demetrio Marcianò, Stefano Rosa, Elena Marone Fassolo.

Simona Masiero, Sara Pellegrino, Silvia Toffolatti, Paolo Pesaresi (CO), Giuliana Maddalena, Stefano Rosa, Stefano Pieraccini, Luca Tadini, Chiara Mizzotti
Paolo Pesaresi – NoPEST coordinator ResearchGate
The first work package aims to deciphering cell wall polysaccharide structure and biosynthesis in oomycetes as a target for disease control.

The leader of this work package is KTH with UMIL as partner.

The work package is divided in 3 tasks:

Task 1.1: In vitro culture of the obligate parasite Plasmopara viticola and cell wall characterization.

Task 1.2: Metabolic reconstruction of the cell wall biosynthetic pathways of the different oomycete parasites.

Task 1.3: Characterization of cell wall biosynthetic enzymes.

The second work package aims to identificaty specific peptide aptamers through the yeast-two hybrid (Y2H) strategy.

The leader of this work package is UMIL with KTH as partner.

The work package is divided in 2 tasks:

Task 2.1: Generation of two yeast two-hybrid libraries: one of short linear peptide and one of cyclic peptide.

Task 2.2: Two-hybrid library screening to identify aptamers able to bind to the target protein.

The third work package aims to select of a subset of suitable aptamers on the basis of their biochemical properties. The aptamers will be produced, analysed and biochemically characterized.
The leader of this work package is UPSaclay with UMIL, KTH and BIU as partners. The work package is divided in 3 tasks: Task 3.1: Aptamer synthesis. Tasks 3.2: Validation of aptamers targeted against cell wall biosynthetic enzymes. Task 3.3: Synthesis of peptidomimetics derived from peptide aptamers.
The fourth work package aims to select non-peptide enzyme inhibitors through structure-based and a pharmacophore-based virtual screening.

The leader of this work package is BIU with UMIL as partner.

The work package is divided in 2 tasks:

Task 4.1: Constrained peptide design.

Task 4.2: Virtual screening. Using structure-based screening, ligand-based pharmacophore screening, QSAR-based screening and consensus approach.

The fifth work package aims to design and adapt non-invasive sensing technologies for monitoring Phytophthora infestans and Plasmopara viticola disease incidence and assessing the performance of the new generation of pesticides under lab and field conditions.

The leader of this work package is UDLR with UMIL and SIPCAM OXON S.p.A. as partners.

The work package is divided in 3 tasks:

Task 5.1: Design and apply existing new phenotyping tools to assess the bioactivity of new pesticides at lab level.

Task 5.2: Adapt and apply new non-invasive sensing technologies for monitoring disease incidence under field conditions.

Task 5.3: Mapping and Variable Rate Application (VRA) of new pesticides in commercial crops.

The sixth work package aims to validate peptide aptamer efficacy in vitro through selection of peptide aptamers that inhibition pathogen growth.

The leader of this work package is UMIL with SIPCAM OXON S.p.A., KTH and UDLR as partners.

The work package is divided in 3 tasks:

Task 6.1: Biological activity of aptamers: in vitro assay on pathogens growing on synthetic media and leaves.

Task 6.2: Intracellular targets and cell-penetrating peptides.

Task 6.3: Microscopy analysis to investigate the effects of aptamers on pathogen cell wall.

The seventh work package aims to select peptidomimetics and non-peptide small molecules for pathogen control through the analysis of their biological activity, specificity and toxicity.
The leader of this work package is UMIL with UPSaclay, SIPCAM OXON S.p.A., and UDLR as partners. The work package is divided in 2 tasks: Task 7.1: Bioactivity of peptidomimetics and non-peptide small molecules. Task 7.2: Specificity and Toxicity.
The eighth work package aims to validate the bioactivity of peptidomimetics and non-peptide small molecules in industrially relevant environments through the study of feasibility, delivery, economic, environmental and societal impact.

The leader of this work package is SIPCAM OXON S.p.A. with UMIL, BIU and UDLR as partners.

The work package is divided in 3 tasks:

Task 8.1: Feasibility and delivery system optimization of peptidomimetics and non-peptide small molecules.

Task 8.2: Biological activity of the best performing peptidomimetic candidates and non-peptide small molecules: in vivo assay on potted plants and other species and on open-field cultivated plants.

Task 8.3. Economic, environmental and societal impact of new pesticides: cost-benefit analysis.

The ninth work package aims to manage and disseminate the project through the coordination of the research activities, dissemination, communication and exploitation of scientific outcomes, impact of the new pesticides on the agri-food industry.

The leader of this work package is UMIL with the involvement of all the other partners.

The work package is divided in 5 tasks:

Task 9.1: Project coordination.

Task 9.2: Project website and workspace.

Task 9.3: Dissemination of knowledge to the scientific community.

Task 9.4: NoPEST’s links to stakeholders.

Task 9.5: Outreach to the general public.