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Content archived on 2024-06-18

In-vitro self-assembly of bacterial pilus toward understanding biological long-range electron transport and the formation of conductive polymers for tissue regeneration

Objective

The extraordinary electron transport (ET) via the bacterial pilus has attracted much attention in recent years as they exhibit highly efficient electrical conductivity across mm’s (or even cm’s) length scales. However, there is no consensus about the specific ET mechanism via the pilus, and it seems that both the pilus structure, which is composed of a small protein, and the cytochromes array along the pilus have a role in the efficient ET. All of the measurements up to now have been conducted by using the bacterial biofilm or by trying to ‘catch’ a single pilus. This begs for a new ‘cleaner’ type of experiment in order to systematically study the ET properties along the pilus. Thus, the first goal of this proposal is to express the genes for the pilus protein along with the gene for the bacterial cytochrome, and try to self-assemble the pilus in-vitro. The lateral and perpendicular ET of individual pilus will be measured using several techniques in order to understand the predominant ET mechanism via the bacterial pilus. The next step of the proposal will include the use of the bacterial pilus to form a polymer with superior properties, such as high conductivity, redox stability, biocompatibility, flexibility and three-dimensional geometry. These set of characteristics are ideal toward cardiac and neural cell scaffolding. Thus, the final goal of the proposal will be to use the pilus-based polymers for cell scaffolding and tissue regeneration applications.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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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.

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IEF
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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.

MC-IEF - Intra-European Fellowships (IEF)

Coordinator

IMPERIAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND MEDICINE
EU contribution
€ 231 283,20
Address
SOUTH KENSINGTON CAMPUS EXHIBITION ROAD
SW7 2AZ London
United Kingdom

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Region
London Inner London — West Westminster
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

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.

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