Objective
The ability of cells to sense and respond to signals is an essential requirement of life. Genetically encoded biosensors meet this need by detecting, for example, chemicals and triggering gene expression in response. This concept is used across the life sciences to sense molecules in basic research, diagnostics and treatment. Crucially, biosensors can be used to isolate and engineer microbes that sustainably produce value-added chemicals and thus play a key role in the transition to a circular economy. However, native biosensors are mostly unfit for synthetic applications in terms of molecules and concentrations they respond to. Moreover, little is known about the relationship between biosensor sequence and resulting function, which prohibits rational biosensor engineering and enforces tedious, often unsuccessful trial-and-error approaches.
I propose to build a pipeline for the rational engineering of biosensors with tailored sensory properties to overcome these limitations. Building upon an ultrahigh-throughput DNA-recording technique we have recently invented, we will generate hitherto inaccessible datasets linking over 10^8 transcriptional and translational biosensor sequences with their sensory properties and use these data to train deep learning models that infer biosensor function directly from sequence. This will enable straightforward biosensor design, which we will capitalize on to build a versatile biosensing platform to specifically detect and discriminate molecules from three metabolic compound classes with high potential for bio-based production. Finally, we will apply designed biosensors to engineer new enzymes for CO2-fixation and build dynamic metabolic controllers to obtain superior bacterial strains for the production of flavors and pharmaceuticals. Our novel, data-driven approach will break new grounds in biosensor engineering through synergies between synthetic biology and artificial intelligence paving the way to novel, sustainable bioprocesses.
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.
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering sensors biosensors
- engineering and technology environmental biotechnology biosensing
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy pharmaceutical drugs
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins enzymes
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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-2023-STG
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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.
93053 Regensburg
Germany
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.