Objective
PROPEL is an ambitious, interdisciplinary project designed to revolutionize sustainable bio-manufacturing through the creation of the first integrated, cost-efficient, and scalable pipeline for the production of protein-based materials and biocatalysts using synthetic cells (SynCells). By combining advances in bottom-up synthetic biology, renewable building blocks, fermentation, and waste valorization, PROPEL aims to overcome current barriers that limit industrial protein production. The project will establish an iterative SynCell optimization platform supported by high-throughput screening and process analytical technologies, enabling rapid selection and enhancement of top-performing artificial protein factories. A key innovation lies in utilizing waste streams, including textile and packaging residues containing microplastics, as renewable carbon sources via advanced enzymatic pre-treatments and conversion into short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). This circular approach positions PROPEL as a transformative force for multiple industrial sectors by fostering green, waste-based biomanufacturing.
PROPEL will deliver proof-of-concept systems for sustainable spider silk protein and oxidoreductase production, develop an advanced high-throughput SynCell toolbox, and validate a scalable manufacturing pipeline, yielding major scientific and intellectual property outcomes. PROPEL will catalyze new markets and strengthen Europe’s leadership in green innovation by providing scalable, affordable, and environmentally sound alternatives to fossil-derived materials.
Through its alignment with the European Green Deal and UN Sustainable Development Goals, PROPEL will advance responsible production, climate action, and global partnerships while empowering female-led biotech entrepreneurship. Ultimately, PROPEL embodies a paradigm shift toward sustainable, circular, and high-value biomanufacturing, setting the stage for a new generation of eco-friendly materials and industrial processes.
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 synthetic biology
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules lipids
- social sciences economics and business economics sustainable economy
- engineering and technology industrial biotechnology bioprocessing technologies fermentation
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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.3.1 - The European Innovation Council (EIC)
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-EIC - HORIZON EIC 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) HORIZON-EIC-2025-PATHFINDERCHALLENGES-01
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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.
28935 Mostoles Madrid
Spain
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.