Project description
Developing a controllable platform for studying new symbiotic relationships
When we think about light management, we often think about how plants optimise their exposure to sunlight to boost photosynthesis. However, light management for a living system actually means being capable to adapt to light condition both in terms of maximising photosynthesis but also for photo-protection. Moreover, plants are not the only system capable of photosynthesis: half of the oxygen we breathe comes from symbiotic consortia of bacteria and algae in the oceans. The EU-funded BiTe project aims to develop interdisciplinary tools to study such symbiotic relationships in the context of light management. The project will develop new hybrid photonic materials composed of artificial matrix and living cells capable of interacting and responding to the environment.
Objective
With the term symbiosis, biologists describe any type of close and long-term interaction between different organisms. Life diversity and ecosystems completely rely on such interactions therefore, especially in such rapid change environment, it is of utmost importance to understand their complexity and resilience. Within this proposal, I aim to develop a new platforms to study these interactions in a spatially and chemically-controlled environment and manufacture a new class of hybrid materials: sym-BIonic matTEr. In specific, with the focus of light-matter interaction and I aim to (1) create controllable platforms where symbiosis with different organisms can be systematically supported and studied (2) develop and “evolve” new hybrid-symbiotic relationships where one of the organisms is replaced by an artificial material (3) exploit the newly created relationships in real application. I envision that such systems will be capable to combine functionalities from the living words (such as sensing and autonomous response) that otherwise are very challenging to achieve only with artificial materials. As an example, I foresee to obtain novel pigments capable to sense the environment by encapsulating in symbiotic-hydrogels bacteria colonies capable of making structural colours, or to achieve novel bio-photovoltaic and bio-photoreactors by optimising light delivery in the photosynthetic living elements and to expand their life by optimising the matrix that host them.
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: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology materials engineering colors
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology bacteriology
- natural sciences biological sciences ecology ecosystems
- natural sciences biological sciences biological behavioural sciences ethology biological interactions
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
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.
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H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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.
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.
ERC-COG - Consolidator Grant
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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.
(opens in new window) ERC-2020-COG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
80539 MUNCHEN
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.