Project description
DNA-origami-based nanoscale machines
The creation of artificial nanoscale molecular motors represents a lifelong dream of molecular engineers exploring different approaches towards molecular constructs with controlled mechanical action, or nanoscale artificial molecular machines (AMMs). The EU-funded EDRIVE project aims to build fast, remotely controlled AMMs with functionalities beyond the state of the art. The project will combine the potential of the DNA origami technique for creating complex, three-dimensional nanostructures to guide the precise assembly of functional nanoscale objects, and electromechanical actuation. EDRIVE results offer the prospect of wider practical application of DNA-origami-based nanoscale machines and the development of innovative approaches to the fabrication of AMMs and motors.
Objective
Inspired both by Nature and the success of macroscopic machines, molecular engineers have been exploring various approaches for the realization of nanoscale artificial molecular machines (AMMs), i.e. molecular constructs capable of controlled mechanical actuation. Despite the great promise of AMMs and the tremendous progress in the field, especially on the synthesis side, multiple conceptual and technical challenges, and open questions, e.g. related to AMMs fabrication, implementation of actuation and, most important, AMMs functionality, still remain. Here, I will combine i) the DNA origami technique with its ability to construct well-defined complex three-dimensional nanostructures, and guide the assembly of functional nanoscale objects with unprecedented precision; and ii) electromechanical actuation, to build fast, remotely controlled artificial molecular machines with functionalities far beyond the state of the art. First, I will fabricate AMMs that translate external stimuli into well-defined spatial reconfiguration of metal nanostructures. I will use such AMMs to build i) active plasmonic surfaces with fast remote modulation of optical responses, and ii) plasmonics probes with single-molecule detection sensitivity. Second, I will design AMMs that can exert forces on single molecules; such AMMs will be used to fabricate i) nanoscale robotic arms, i.e. devices that can pick-up, transport and release cargo (molecules and/or nanoparticles) in multiple cycles, and ii) molecular motors, i.e. devices capable of performing useful chemical or mechanical work and driving chemical systems out of their intrinsic equilibrium. Fabrication of artificial nanoscale molecular motors has been a long-standing dream of molecular engineers.
Results of this project will pave the way towards practical applications of DNA-origami-based machines and might lead to a paradigm shift in approaches to fabrication of artificial molecular machines and motors.
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.
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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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HORIZON.1.1 - 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.
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.
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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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.
02150 Espoo
Finland
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.