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Soft-Bioelectrochemistry for Artificial Respiratory Chain

Project description

Soft bioelectrochemical model of electron transport chain

Cells contain protein molecular motors that help them produce energy and motion as well as transport cargoes. Disruptions to the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC), an energy-producing system, lead to cancer, neurodegeneration and heart failure. Soft electrified interfaces such as membranes for ion-selective electrodes, biomembranes and liquid–liquid interfaces belong to the class of electrochemical interfaces. Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the SoftBioArt project is developing model membrane systems to be used as scaffolds for the proteins and enzymes of the ETC at electrified soft interfaces, maximising electron transfer efficiency. The researchers will explore a new paradigm in ETC by achieving efficient inter-protein electron transfer and applying this bioelectrochemical platform to identify possible electron leakage points associated with ETC malfunctions.

Objective

All cells contain tiny molecular motors made from a large family of proteins including enzymes and antibodies that help the cell produce energy, move, and move material inside the cell. While several biomolecular motors have been identified, the remaining challenges are determining how these species transfer information from one region of a motor to another and how the malfunctioning of these can lead to the development of several diseases. One timely example is the detrimental effect that a disrupted mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) can produce in human beings (e.g. cancer, neurodegeneration, heart failure). The SoftBioArt project will explore a new paradigm in ETC by achieving an efficient inter-protein electron transfer at electrified soft-interfaces and to using this platform to pinpoint any weak points for possible electron leakage during the ETC. The SoftBioArt program will result in a new platform bringing biomimetic modified soft-interfaces to a new level, to demystify one of the most relevant living machines within mitochondria (respiratory ETC) where any malfunctioning is linked to the development of several chronic human diseases. Thus, the SofBioArt program will develop model membrane systems that will serve as scaffolds harbouring protein and enzymes of the ETC at soft-interfaces maximizing the electron transfer efficiency at an electrified soft-interface. The SoftBioArt project pushes the boundaries of the current state-of-the-art of bioelectrochemistry at soft-interfaces to determine if this unexplored system can bridge the gap between solid electrode bioelectrochemistry and living systems.

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

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MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2020

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Coordinator

UNIVERSIDAD DE ALICANTE
Net EU contribution

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.

€ 160 932,48
Address
CAMPUS DE SAN VICENTE RASPEIG
03690 Alicante
Spain

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Region
Este Comunitat Valenciana Alicante/Alacant
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

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.

€ 160 932,48
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