Discovering Quorum sensing in industrially useful Fungi, a novel approach at molecular level for scaling-up in white biotech

Project Information

QUORUM

Grant agreement ID: 32811

Start date 1 November 2006

End date 31 October 2009

Funded under

• Nanotechnologies and nanosciences, knowledge-based multifunctional materials and new production processes and devices: thematic priority 3 under the 'Focusing and integrating community research' of the 'Integrating and strengthening the European Research Area' specific programme 2002-2006.

Total cost € 2 392 000,00

EU contribution € 1 999 920,00

Coordinated by

UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI NAPOLI FEDERICO II.
Italy

Objective

Fungi have proved to be a source of bioactive natural products and industrially important target products such as:
(i). Enzymes,
(ii). Bioplastics,
(iii). Bio-dyes,
(iv). Vitamins

The overall aim of this proposal is to use nanotechnology using natural molecules involved in fungal cell communications and mini-scale process parameters, to maintain and improve productivity for the white biotech industry of the commercially important bioproduct, and particularly laccases. The specific objectives of this proposal are: Using a Quorum Sensing approach at nano-scale for better understanding of biosynthesis of the industrially important target products; Quorum sensing and signal transduction in relation to fungal physiology and morphology in agitated systems; Comparative analyses of fungal cell communication in small and large scale submerged fermentations; The relevance and interrelation of traditional scale-up factors to quorum sensing in fungal cultures. The QUORUM project is based on a multidisciplinary approach, and builds a dynamic relation between 8 partners (1 SME and 7 Universities and Research Centres) from 7 countries.

The QUORUM project will enhance competitiveness and sustainability of European industries by the development of leading edge advances i n environmentally respectful, energy efficiency, resource efficient processes and product technology. Two main technology innovation areas are concerned: enzymes and fine chemical productions. The QUORUM project will lead to a positive impact on economy through new/increased added value products, a beneficial impact on environmental issues, and new production models -based on knowledge- to replace trial error, will be proposed to the industrial biotechnology sector in the value chain.

The QUORUM project will support the "Action Plan for environmental technology" (COM 131-2003) as well as the "Life sciences and biotechnology: a strategy for Europe" (COM 27-2002).

Fields of science

• engineering and technology › environmental biotechnology › bioremediation › bioreactors
• natural sciences › biological sciences › biochemistry › biomolecules › proteins › proteomics
• natural sciences › biological sciences › microbiology › mycology
• natural sciences › biological sciences › biochemistry › biomolecules › proteins › enzymes
• engineering and technology › industrial biotechnology › bioprocessing technologies › fermentation

Programme(s)

• FP6-NMP - Nanotechnologies and nanosciences, knowledge-based multifunctional materials and new production processes and devices: thematic priority 3 under the 'Focusing and integrating community research' of the 'Integrating and strengthening the European Research Area' specific programme 2002-2006.

Topic(s)

• NMP-2004-3.4.1.2-1 - Using nature as model for new nanotechnology-based processes

Call for proposal

FP6-2004-NMP-TI-4
See other projects for this call

Funding Scheme

STREP - Specific Targeted Research Project

Coordinator

UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI NAPOLI FEDERICO II.

• EU contribution: No data
• Address: Corso Umberto I, 4 ; NAPOLI ; Italy
• Total cost: No data

Participants (7)

UNIVERSITY OF WESTMINSTER

United Kingdom

• EU contribution: No data
• Address: Regent Street 309 ; LONDON
• Total cost: No data

VYSOKA SKOLA CHEMICKO-TECHNOLOGICKA V PRAZE

Czechia

• EU contribution: No data
• Address: Technicka 5 ; PRAHA 6
• Total cost: No data

WETLANDS ENGINEERING SPRL

Belgium

• EU contribution: No data
• Address: Place communale 7 ; CHASTRE
• Total cost: No data

CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE (CNRS)

France

• EU contribution: No data
• Address: rue Michel-Ange 3 ; PARIS
• Total cost: No data

PECSI TUDOMANYEGYETEM (UNIVERSITY OF PECS)

Hungary

• EU contribution: No data
• Address: Szanto Kovacs Janos u. 1/b ; PECS
• Total cost: No data

UNIVERSITE CATHOLIQUE DE LOUVAIN

Belgium

• EU contribution: No data
• Address: 1 Place De L'Universite ; LOUVAIN-LA-NEUVE
• Total cost: No data

TURUN YLIOPISTO

Finland

• EU contribution: No data
• Address: Itainen Pitkakatu, 4A ; TURKU
• Total cost: No data