Objective
Although cryopreservation would allow for the long-term storage of sensitive materials and biological samples, it is not common
practice because success rates vary greatly between different samples. Improving the success of cryopreservation techniques will
make long-term storage more accessible across industries, clinics, and research institutes, enabling more effective use of patient-derived
materials and “back-ups” of crucial cell lines. My ERC-consolidator grant project PROTECT focuses on the development of new
ice-interactive materials. While studying a group of well-defined ice-binders, I discovered a class of materials able to induce
heterogeneous ice nucleation at the highest temperatures so far described for synthetic materials. Importantly, I demonstrated that
this effect is still observable in sample volumes similar to those used for cryopreservation. This discovery is of great significance since
it has been shown that during cryopreservation, inducing ice nucleation at temperatures closer to 0°C improves the viability of cells,
but so far, there are no viable methods available to control nucleation. By using this material class as an additive to current
cryopreservation media, it now becomes possible to control at what temperature ice nucleation will occur. Considering that current
cryopreservation approaches cannot control ice nucleation at scale yet, my discovery could fulfil a pressing need. In this ERC PoC, I
want to perform the key scientific steps that bring these materials closer to a commercially available additive for cryopreservation by
optimizing its (scalable) synthesis, through the technical validation of its effect on cardiomyocyte cryopreservation as showcase
example, and with a feasibility study to identify the best route to commercial exploitation.
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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.
5612 AE Eindhoven
Netherlands
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.