Objective
"Applied biocatalysis faces a critical limitation: insufficient robust enzymes capable of enduring harsh industrial conditions, impeding circular economy development from waste materials. Current directed evolution methods are slow to screen large mutant libraries (10⁶-10¹²) and encounter significant stability-activity trade-offs where activity enhancement destabilise enzymes.
This interdisciplinary project leverages Thermus thermophilus, a thermophilic bacterium, as a living factory for directed evolution. Producing enzymes within this thermostable organism enables selection for inherently stable enzymes. The approach targets engineering robust enzymes for plastic degradation (PET, PBS, PLA), where high temperatures are essential for efficient breakdown and recycling.
The methodology employs comprehensive Design-Build-Test-Learn cycles combining cutting-edge biotechnology with computational approaches. Microfluidic droplet technology enables rapid, high-throughput screening of millions of enzyme variants through fluorometric/colorimetric assays. Deep mutational scanning on sorted variants provides detailed sequence-function relationship insights by revealing effects of thousands of amino-acid substitutions on stability and activity. Experimental deep mutational scanning data integrates with machine learning models to approximate protein fitness landscapes and design ""smart libraries"" for subsequent evolution rounds.
This fellowship will develop my expertise across biotechnology, computational biology, and biocatalyst engineering, fostering interdisciplinary skills essential for modern R&I careers. The project benefits the host organization by strenghting its capacity in emerging biotechnologies, and biocatalyst discovery that contributes to European leadership in sustainable bioeconomy solutions, and delivers robust biocatalysts that accelerate plastic recycling, reducing environmental impact while creating economic value in the circular economy sector.
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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 microbiology bacteriology
- natural sciences biological sciences evolutionary biology
- natural sciences chemical sciences catalysis biocatalysis
- natural sciences computer and information sciences artificial intelligence machine learning
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins enzymes
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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.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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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) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
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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.
37129 Verona
Italy
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.