Project description
A closer look at collagen under pressure
Our bodies are exposed to mechanical forces that affect proteins, especially collagen, at a molecular level. These forces can lead to changes in the structure and function of proteins, which is important for understanding ageing and diseases. Collagen plays a crucial role in how we respond to these forces. However, the mechanisms behind collagen’s response to stress are still not fully understood. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the COLMEC project will study collagen’s response to mechanical forces. The project focuses on three main areas: understanding collagen’s amino acid evolution, the role of metal ions in collagen’s strength, and how forces spread through its structure. COLMEC helps us design more resilient materials based on collagen’s properties.
Objective
Every day, our bodies endure myriad mechanical forces that influence proteins, especially collagen, at the molecular level. COLMEC aims to use collagen as a model to uncover the nuances of protein mechanochemistry. A central aspect of this research is deciphering how collagen's evolutionary adaptations influence its response to forces, especially in contexts of aging and disease. This pursuit is split into three distinct objectives: (1) investigating the coevolution of collagen's amino acid residues to decode its response to tensile forces; (2) delving into the role of metal ions in collagen crosslinking, drawing parallels with natural phenomena such as the resilience of mussel byssus; and (3) probing the mechanisms of force propagation within collagen's varied structures. Merging bioinformatics, computational biophysics, and materials science, COLMEC's interdisciplinary approach illuminates how evolution shapes protein defenses against mechanical strains. This knowledge is pivotal in establishing design rules for crafting synthetic collagen-like materials with tailored mechanical stability and response, bridging evolutionary insights with innovative material design.
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 biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- natural sciences biological sciences evolutionary biology
- natural sciences biological sciences biophysics
- engineering and technology chemical engineering chemical process engineering
- natural sciences chemical sciences organic chemistry amines
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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.
80539 MUNCHEN
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.