Project description
Soft materials based on synthetic prototissues
Protocells, artificial cell-like entities, are a vital tool in synthetic biology. These non-living systems demonstrate characteristics akin to biological cells. Protocell networks in prototissues can communicate and display synergistic functions, yet lack robustness and the required complexity to perform higher-order functions. Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the SAPTiMeC project will exploit spiropyran photoswitches to fabricate prototissues that can swell and de-swell powered by light. This mechanical movement will then be exploited to modulate the prototissue’s endogenous photocatalytic reactivity, producing waves of an output chemical signal. Project outcomes could usher in a new era in bottom-up synthetic biology and non-equilibrium systems, delivering new materials with potential use in tissue engineering and soft robotics.
Fields of science
- natural sciencesbiological sciencessynthetic biology
- natural scienceschemical sciencesphysical chemistryphotochemistry
- medical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologytissue engineering
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringroboticssoft robotics
- engineering and technologynanotechnologynano-materials
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF
Coordinator
34127 Trieste
Italy
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Participants (1)
Participation ended
BS8 1QU Bristol