Project description
Turning light into opportunity for smarter photosynthesis
Photosynthesis supports nearly all life on Earth by converting sunlight into chemical energy. However, it has the potential to play an even broader role in biology and biotechnology if the conversion of sunlight into energy was done more efficiently. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the PhotoBioLEAP project will propose a hydrogel-based solution designed to optimise the efficacy of photosynthesis. In particular, the new system will enable the conversion of near-infrared light to visible light via photon upconversion. As such, the technology will increase the effectiveness of photosynthesis by eliminating self-shading and photoreactive wavelength limitations.
Objective
Photosynthesis is foundation of our biosphere. Beyond its natural function to convert light energy into chemical energy that fuels most of the life forms and production of oxygen that we breath, humanity is now creatively repurposing photosynthesis to address modern challenges, from developing photosynthetic cell factories for sustainable chemical production to engineering life-support systems for survival in space. Many of these technologies use photosynthetic microorganisms, such as cyanobacteria and microalgae, often immobilized in dense hydrogels to save space, water, and energy. Two primary bottlenecks limit these technologies. The first is a fundamental limitation of photosynthesis itself: chlorophyll uses only a narrow band of the light spectrum (photosynthetically active radiation or PAR), wasting nearly 50% of the solar spectrum, which is rich in infrared light. The second is a technical challenge: high cell concentrations lead to self-shading and inefficient light distribution.
The PhotoBioLEAP project offers an ambitious solution to these problems; a hydrogel platform that converts inactive near-infrared (NIR) light into active visible light through a process called photon upconversion, hence broadens the spectral utilization. This unique design leverages the high penetration of NIR radiation to generate light directly inside the hydrogel, improving light distribution and efficiency. The project is a highly interdisciplinary effort, carefully designed to maximize feasibility by combining the expertise of the researcher and the host, and contributes to the EU's goals of boosting biotechnology and biomanufacturing for a more sustainable future.
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 earth and related environmental sciences atmospheric sciences meteorology biosphera
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology
- natural sciences biological sciences botany
- natural sciences physical sciences theoretical physics particle physics photons
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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.
CB2 1TN CAMBRIDGE
United Kingdom
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.