Objective
Cellulose, the most abundant and renewable biopolymer on Earth, plays a critical role in numerous industries, from textiles and packaging to construction and electronics. Its exceptional mechanical strength, stability, and renewability make it a versatile material with immense potential for driving sustainable innovations. These remarkable properties are rooted in the unique hierarchical structure of cellulose and the crystalline nature of its nanofibers, termed cellulose microfibrils. Despite its importance and the fact that this material has been used since the beginning of human civilization, the intricate molecular processes behind its biosynthesis, carried out by cellulose synthase complexes, remain poorly understood. This fundamental gap of knowledge limits our ability to fully harness cellulose for advanced applications.
In this project, I aim to unravel the elusive biocrystallisation mechanism of cellulose microfibrils using a material science approach. Leveraging advanced electron microscopy and molecular modelling, I will identify key physicochemical factors that control the assembly of cellulose molecules into crystalline cellulose microfibrils in natural systems. Building on the mechanistic understanding of the crystallization process, I will develop a novel synthetic platform for cellulose nanomaterial manufacturing by reconstructing the cellulose synthase complex machinery on the engineered surfaces. This approach will enable precise control over the cellulose synthase complexes’ structure and their physicochemical environment, facilitating the fabrication of cellulose nanoparticles with tuneable properties and nanoscale morphologies that surpass the capabilities of both natural biosynthesis and synthetic methods.
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 physical sciences optics microscopy
- engineering and technology materials engineering textiles
- engineering and technology nanotechnology nano-materials
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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.
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.