Project description
Advancing synthetic biology with precision engineering
Designing biomolecular circuits is fraught with unpredictability, limiting the potential of synthetic biology. Uncertainty from various sources leads to poor reliability, while complex biological functions, such as memory and decision-making in synthetic cells, remain difficult to control. With this in mind, the ERC-funded CellWise project will develop advanced mathematical models and computational methods. By harnessing noise and uncertainty, researchers seek to improve circuit predictability, refine bifurcation analysis, and enable precise control of cellular functions at both individual and population levels. With a focus on engineering cell cognition, CellWise promises breakthroughs in synthetic biology, paving the way for innovative applications and shedding light on fundamental biological processes that govern cellular decision-making and robustness.
Objective
Synthetic Biology is one of the pillars of the bioeconomy. However, a number of fundamental issues need to
be resolved before its full potential can be realized. First, the design of dynamic biomolecular circuits faces
high levels of uncertainty from different sources leading to poor predictability of Synthetic Biology designs.
Furthermore, there is an urgent need for more sophisticated biomolecular circuit functionalities to meet the
demands arising from cutting-edge applications and scientific challenges such as the synthetic cell, including
those related with cell cognition.
CellWise aims to make a major contribution to the field by developing theoretical tools, and mathematical and
computational methods to achieve enhanced predictability in Synthetic Biology. The objectives are: i)
harnessing noise of different sources, uncertainty and context dependency for the precise engineering of
complex biological functions, ii) fundamentally advancing the bifurcation analysis of biomolecular circuits
under noise and uncertainty, and iii) achieving precise control of cell function, both at the single cell and
population levels. The project has a special focus on the engineering and control of cell cognition capabilities
such as memory and cell decision-making. To accomplish this, we propose an innovative mathematical
modelling framework for dynamic biomolecular circuits under noise and uncertainty, combined with state-ofthe-art optimization methods, our recent insights on the automated design and bifurcation behaviour of
stochastic systems, and experimental work.
Through the realization of these objectives, CellWise will unlock innovative synthetic biology applications
and improve our understanding of fundamental questions in biology, illuminating mechanisms by which cells
achieve robust function in presence of noise, and elucidating how cellular decisions can be precisely controlled.
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.
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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)
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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.
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-2024-COG
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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.
28006 MADRID
Spain
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.