Project description
Hydrogels with supramolecular and covalent bonds mimic the extracellular matrix
Cells are the workhorses of human bodies, but they could not perform their functions without the large network of proteins and other molecules in the space between them. The extracellular matrix (ECM) helps cells attach to and communicate with each other, enabling processes including migration, wound healing and differentiation. The ECM is of particular interest to tissue engineers, who are challenged by the poor spatiotemporal control of material dynamics of current synthetic ECMs. The ERC-funded SupraValent project will attempt to overcome this with strategic combinations of dynamic supramolecular assemblies with reversible and or degradable covalent bonds. They will explore this leveraging covalent modification of 1D supramolecular polymers.
Objective
Current biomaterials poorly recapitulate the tough, responsive, and spatiotemporal behavior of native extracellular matrices (ECM). This recapitulation of ECM complexity is imperative to create environments that can effectively communicate with living cells. A key missing component in synthetic ECM-mimetics is spatiotemporal control of material dynamics. Supramolecular biomaterials hold significant promise to fill this need, yet their poor mechanical properties often limit application. I hypothesize that strategic combinations of dynamic supramolecular assemblies with reversible/degradable covalent bonds can lead to tough, hierarchical, and spatiotemporally complex hydrogels. After all, nearly all hierarchical materials in nature are composed of optimized combinations of supramolecular and covalent bonds. In SupraValent, I will test my hypothesis with the design and exploration of spatiotemporal changes to hydrogel properties via covalent modification of 1D supramolecular polymers. SupraValent will first create structure/dynamics/property relationships of supramolecular assemblies between solution-phase studies and hydrogel materials. I will leverage this information to create tough supramolecular biomaterials and bioinks, which allow for the introduction of spatiotemporal gradients and cell-mediated changes (via degradation) to the material’s properties. Then, I will introduce innovative cell/material constructs where the cells create covalent bonds on the materials over the lifetime of culture. Here, genetically modified bacteria will introduce the spatiotemporal complexity into the construct, moving towards living material’s modifications. These studies will transform the way we create and control timescales in dynamic biomaterials, and open supramolecular hydrogels to new applications. Furthermore, this work will provide a much-needed breakthrough to creating life-like materials with controllable properties.
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.
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology bacteriology
- natural sciences chemical sciences polymer sciences
- engineering and technology industrial biotechnology biomaterials
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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)
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Topic(s)
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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.
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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
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2022-COG
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6200 MD Maastricht
Netherlands
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