Objective
FEMTOMICS is redefining analytical chemistry by introducing the first femtosecond-based platform for proteome-wide decoding of dynamic DNA–protein interactions in cells. Capturing weak and transient interactions in intact cells remains a key challenge in measurement science. Chemical cross-linking is slow, perturbs cellular equilibrium, and has limited specificity, while UV irradiation is inefficient, damaging, and fails to stabilise fleeting contacts. Current methods detect abundant interactions, such as histones, but cannot resolve many transcription factors or other DNA-binding proteins whose short-lived bindings are essential for gene regulation. Moreover, genomic, proteomic, and structural layers are typically studied in isolation, overlooking integration.
FEMTOMICS closes these gaps with a paradigm-shifting platform that integrates femtosecond laser cross-linking (fliX) with high-resolution mass spectrometry (fliX–MS) and nanopore sequencing (fliX–NPS). With sub-ps, fliX enables zero-length cross-linking of DNA–protein interactions while preserving DNA integrity. fliX–MS provides proteome-wide detection of DNA-bound proteins at atomic resolution, and fliX–NPS pinpoints binding sites at single-nucleotide resolution with matched transcriptome and methylation profiles; all datasets are integrated through advanced bioinformatics for structural and functional analysis. These modules yield time-resolved, multimodal maps of transient DNA–protein complexes in situ.
By benchmarking against established methods, FEMTOMICS will demonstrate measurable gains in temporal resolution, specificity, and coverage, expanding detection from histones to rare transcription factors. The resulting datasets will reconstruct networks, generate hypotheses, and resolve regulatory states. As proof of concept, the platform will be validated in breast cancer cell models, demonstrating how photonics, sequencing, and data science set new standards in chemistry and medicine.
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 computer and information sciences data science
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics RNA transcriptomes
- natural sciences mathematics pure mathematics mathematical analysis functional analysis
- natural sciences chemical sciences analytical chemistry mass spectrometry
- natural sciences physical sciences optics laser physics
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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-ADG
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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.
31134 Hildesheim
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.