The project has a simple management structure, allowing for both vertical and horizontal communication between the scientific and administrative management levels. Project management is divided over three levels: Project coordinator, Workpackage (WP) Coordinators, and Partners, all of which are linked through the Project Assistant. Two parallel pathways define the management structure. At the scientific and technological level the management chain will be Project Coordinator -> WP coordinators -> Partners and at the administrative level Project Coordinator -> Project Assistant -> WP Coordinator -> Partners. The CASPIC management structure shown in the schematic left addresses these issues.

Project Coordinator

The Project Coordinator is Prof. Emons. She is the intermediary between the Project Assistant, the WP Coordinators, the Partners and the Commission and is responsible for the overall scientific, financial and administrative coordination. However, the management of the project is a joint commitment of all partners. 

Implementation Plan 

The CASPIC project is divided into five work packages (WP) that address the coordination and dissemination (WP1) and technology development (WPs 2-5) aspects of the project. WPs 2-5 are each headed by a WP coordinator who will contribute to WP 1 by compiling the consortium and official reports for their respective WP. The duration of the CASPIC project is 3 years. All five WPs run for the duration of the project. The contribution of the partners to the different WPs is shown in the STREP Project Effort Form (B.4.2.1), as well as in the individual Workpackage Description forms (B.6.6). 

 

WPs 2-5 will test the function based design capabilities of the geo-model in Arabidopsis and the industrially tree model poplar. A systems biology approach combining functional genomics (WP2), cell biology and biochemistry (WP3), mechanical engineering (WP4) and mathematical modelling (WP5) will be employed. Transgenic plants with novel CMF and matrix gene assemblies will be produced and analyzed for changes in wall texture, chemical composition and mechanical properties, as related to industrial applications. The experimental output of WPs 2-5 will be used as the experimental input in subsequent rounds of iterative modelling in WP5 and in subsequent rounds of experimentation in WPs 2-5, all aimed at fine-tuning the geo-model and its associated industrial applications. Synergy in the project will be obtained by focusing on two model species and by exchange of material and expertise within and between the workpackages.