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Establishing design rules for creating collagen-like materials with specific mechanical stability and response (COLMEC)

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.

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Topic(s)

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HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01

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Coordinator

MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN EV
Net EU contribution

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.

€ 189 687,36
Address
HOFGARTENSTRASSE 8
80539 MUNCHEN
Germany

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Region
Bayern Oberbayern München, Kreisfreie Stadt
Activity type
Research Organisations
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