Objective
During the last decade, the principles of biomineralization have increasingly attracted multidisciplinary scientific attention, not only because they touch the interface between the organic/inorganic world but also because they offer fascinating bioinspired solutions to notorious problems in the fields of biotechnology and medicine. However, only one group of animals has the necessary genetic/enzymatic toolkit to control biomineralization: siliceous sponges (Porifera). Based on his pioneering discoveries in poriferan molecular biology and physiological chemistry, the PI has brought biosilicification into the focus of basic and applied research. Through multiple trendsetting approaches the molecular key components for the enzymatic synthesis of polymorphic siliceous skeletal elements in sponges have been elucidated and characterized. Subsequently, they have been employed to synthesize innovative composite materials in vitro. Nonetheless, knowledge of the functional mechanisms involved remains sketchy and harnessing biosilicification, beyond the in vitro synthesis of amorphous nanocomposites, is still impossible. Using a unique blend of cutting-edge techniques in molecular/structural biology, biochemistry, bioengineering, and material sciences, the PI approaches for the first time a comprehensive analysis of natural biomineralization, from gene to biomineral to hierarchically ordered structures of increasing complexity. The groundbreaking discoveries expected will be of extreme importance for understanding poriferan biosilicification. Concurrently, they will contribute to the development of innovative nano-biotechnological and -medical approaches that aim to elicit novel (biogenous) optical waveguide fibers and self-repairing inorganic-organic bone substitution materials.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry
- engineering and technology materials engineering fibers
- engineering and technology materials engineering composites
- natural sciences biological sciences molecular biology structural biology
- engineering and technology materials engineering nanocomposites
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
ERC-2010-AdG_20100317
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Host institution
55131 Mainz
Germany
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.