Project description
Computational genomics for microplastic remediation
Microplastics affect about 500 million people and are linked to health issues like inflammation and hormone disruption. The ERC CoG project IndexThePlanet developed a highly optimised search engine for enzyme discovery through extensive genomic data, identifying candidates with superior activity compared to current standards. The ERC-funded EnzyMiner project will revolutionise microplastic remediation by using computational genomics to discover and optimise efficient plastic-degrading enzymes. It will establish a pathway for commercialisation through the demonstration of this sequence mining methodology and validation of enzyme candidates. The project will also develop a regulatory strategy for deploying these enzymes in environmental and consumer applications, along with an intellectual property and start-up plan. Ultimately, it will provide innovative solutions to microplastic pollution.
Objective
Microplastics represent an emerging global health crisis, with nearly 500 million people directly impacted worldwide. Current solutions for plastic waste management are inadequate, with degradation into microplastics (<5mm) and nanoplastics (<1μm) creating pervasive contamination. These particles have been detected in human tissues including the brain, gut, arteries, placenta, and breast milk, with evidence linking them to inflammatory conditions, hormone disruption, and increased disease risk.
The EnzyMiner project aims to revolutionize microplastic remediation by leveraging computational genomics to discover and optimize highly efficient plastic-degrading enzymes. Building on our ERC CoG project IndexThePlanet, we have developed a highly optimized search engine for enzyme discovery across the world’s most comprehensive genomic datasets. Our preliminary work has yielded several candidate plastic-degrading enzymes with activity superior to the current gold standard.
This PoC grant will establish three critical pillars for commercialization: (1) a demonstration of our sequence mining methodology with experimental validation of synthesized candidate enzymes; (2) a regulatory pathway strategy for enzyme deployment in environmental and consumer applications; and (3) a consolidated IP strategy and startup creation plan. The results will create a robust foundation for bringing this breakthrough technology to market, offering transformative solutions to microplastic pollution across multiple industries while safeguarding human health.
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
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine obstetrics
- natural sciences earth and related environmental sciences environmental sciences pollution
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins enzymes
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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-2025-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.
75724 Paris
France
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.