Objective
Proteins are nature's nano-machines, driving essential biological processes, including those involving mechanical work: DNA replication, membrane remodelling, and cargo transport. Synthetic protein motors have enormous potential in health and material applications and could help us unravel the mechanism of natural protein motors. At present, the ability to design protein motors from scratch remains beyond our reach. The PROPEL project aims to address this challenge by constructing the first genetically encodable de novo protein walkers capable of powered, directional motion along designed protein tracks.
We will combine cutting-edge AI design tools with sophisticated single-molecule tracking experiments to create protein motors based on a driven Brownian ratchet mechanism. This approach represents a significant leap forward in synthetic molecular machines, surpassing the current state-of-the-art in DNA nanotechnology by leveraging the chemical versatility, genetic encodability and hyper-stability of designed proteins.
Key objectives of PROPEL include designing rigid asymmetric tracks (Objective 1), creating specific anchors to control where and when tracks grow (Objective 2), integrating power sources such as alternating electric fields, enzymatic reactions, and enhanced diffusion effects (Objective 3), and demonstrating cargo transport applications such as force generation and active motion in live cells (Objective 4).
PROPEL's innovation lies in its ability to create entirely de novo protein motors and tracks that expand our understanding of molecular processes and open new avenues for bionanotechnology. Potential applications range from synthetic cell machinery and precision medicine to smart materials and programmable nanorobots. By creating the first powered and directed de novo protein walker, PROPEL will advance our understanding of molecular transport processes and lay the groundwork for future protein-based nanorobots.
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 genetics DNA
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- engineering and technology nanotechnology
- medical and health sciences health sciences personalized medicine
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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.1.1 - 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 - 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-2025-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.
1000 Ljubljana
Slovenia
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.