Project description
Sustainable solutions for textiles dyeing
The textile industry is one of the biggest polluters in the world, mainly due to the chemicals and energy used in dyeing and fabric treatments. Indigo dye is a major contributor to this problem because its production relies on toxic processes. As demand for clothing grows, the need for sustainable alternatives becomes urgent. Microbial production of dyes offers a promising solution. In this context, the ERC-funded OPTIGO project is using engineered yeast, Yarrowia lipolytica, to create blue dyes in an eco-friendly way. By studying why some yeast cells produce more dye than others, researchers aim to increase overall production. This breakthrough could make sustainable dyes affordable and ready for commercial use, reducing pollution in the fashion industry.
Objective
The textile industry is a major global contributor to environmental pollution, primarily due to the harsh conditions and hazardous chemicals used in fabric pre-treatment, dyeing, and finishing processes1. Notably, the chemical synthesis of dyes such as indigo, best known for its use in jeans manufacturing, contributes to this burden. With growing demands for clothing and fabrics, there is a desperate need for more sustainable alternatives. One potential solution is the use of microbial alternatives to indigo, with a similar colour spectrum and dying capacity. Our lab recently engineered a microbial factory for production of blue dyes using the industrially relevant yeast Yarrowia lipolytica and we have registered a patent due to promising yields during small-scale fermentation. In our latest research to improve production yields, we noticed a remarkable difference biosynthesis at the single-cell level, with some cells containing tenfold amounts of the pigment. Building on our recent research funded by the ERC starting grant DEUSBIO to understand metabolic single-cell heterogeneity, this proposal aims to characterise drivers of production heterogeneity during Y. lipolytica fermentation. Furthermore, we intend to harness production heterogeneity by engineering stable high producer populations, to optimise bioproduction and increase overall yields. This research will be pivotal for improving the economic viability of sustainable dye production and for developing an optimized microbial host with broader applications in biomanufacturing processes. By establishing a proof of concept (PoC) through this research, we anticipate potential collaborations with industrial partners, paving the way for the commercialisation of sustainable blue pigment production.
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 colors
- engineering and technology materials engineering textiles
- natural sciences earth and related environmental sciences environmental sciences pollution
- engineering and technology industrial biotechnology bioprocessing technologies fermentation
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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)
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-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept 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-POC
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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.
SW7 2AZ London
United Kingdom
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.