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Molecular Engineering of Synthetic Motile Systems towards Biological Environments

Objective

The goal of this ERC is to develop synthetic motile systems with cilia-like and flagella-like movement based on supramolecular assemblies of controlled shape, size and morphology. With this strategy, we are addressing the great challenge of developing synthetic systems with the ability to move, sense, adapt at the cellular, tissue and systemic level. The systems developed will then allow us to study the effect of propulsive movement on cellular uptake, targeted transport, external guidance and sensing and thus define the active delivery potential of these systems. Assembly from building blocks with pre-programmed functionality able to transfer complexity to their structure and behaviour is the core principle guiding nature and a tool that we have harnessed in our research. Besides their ability to move directionally these complex bio-inspired systems are programmed to sense changes in the environment and consequently to adapt to the changes by regulating their speed, shape and behaviour. Since they are by design catalytically active, they can also change the chemical composition of their environment as well as dynamically regulate the chemical signaling pathways in their interaction with other species. The study of the primary biomimetic complex emergent functions such as motility, adaptivity (regulated and feedback output) and interaction/communication in biological environments will be the goals of this ERC program and will concentrate on 3 work packages built from 5 interconnecting projects. Organic, inorganic catalysts and biocatalysts based on multiple enzymes will be incorporated within asymmetric soft self-assembled structures to generate smart autonomous systems able to harvest different sources of energy from the surrounding environment and generate a feedback response. The final output of the program will be to develop an understanding of the directional movement of engineered synthetic motile systems studied from cellular levels to complex environments.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Programme(s)

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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.

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.

HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) ERC-2021-COG

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Host institution

STICHTING RADBOUD UNIVERSITEIT
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.

€ 2 350 000,00
Address
HOUTLAAN 4
6525 XZ Nijmegen
Netherlands

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Region
Oost-Nederland Gelderland Arnhem/Nijmegen
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.

€ 2 350 000,00

Beneficiaries (1)

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