Project description
Advancing autonomous artificial cells
Artificial cells, also known as protocells, are engineered entities designed to mimic certain characteristics and functions of biological cells. However, it remains challenging to generate cells with an inherent capacity to control their dynamics and homeostasis through internal mechanisms. Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the Cell-like Autonomy project aims to create autonomous artificial cells capable of self-regulation, like living cells. Understanding and replicating self-regulated oscillations are crucial for advancing both natural and artificial systems. In natural systems, this helps us understand how living organisms maintain rhythms and balance essential for life. In synthetic biology and materials science, developing artificial systems with self-regulated oscillations can lead to innovative smart materials and adaptive technologies.
Objective
The living cell is an active system that can display autonomy by implementation of dissipative out-of-equilibrium and self-regulated oscillatory behaviours. Manifestation of these dynamic traits into artificial microcompartments (termed artificial cell or protocell) will advance the construction of “smart” artificial cells and the development of synthetic protobiology. Even though numerous reports have illustrated the feasibility of fuel-depleted out-of-equilibrium reactions/behaviors in artificial cells, implementation of more advanced self-regulated artificial cells capable of sustained cell-like dynamics and homeostasis is still very challenging due to the lacks of apparatus and strategy. The overall aim of this proposal is therefore to construct an autonomous artificial cell capable of self-regulated oscillation, which can be coupled to sustained out-of-equilibrium behaviors and environmental homeostasis by chemo-chemical/chemo-mechanical transition modes. Implementation of this proposed work will advance development of synthetic protobiology by producing “smart” protocells with cell-like autonomy. Coupling the self-regulated oscillations to other forms of out-of-equilibrium behaviors by chemo-chemical/chemo-mechanical transitions will further extend the significance of this work by offering a strategy to construct smart and adaptive materials (e.g. autonomous soft robotics) for engineering applications.
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 materials engineering
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering robotics
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology homeostasis
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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.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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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) HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01
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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.
5612 AE Eindhoven
Netherlands
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.