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“MICROMETABOLITE” – Research Training Network on the Microbial Enhancement of Bioactive Secondary Metabolite Production in Plants

Objective

Plant-derived natural products or, more specifically, plant secondary metabolites are backbones of today’s pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical industry. Plant-associated microorganisms have been implicated an important role in sustaining plant growth and, through inducing or influencing synthesis pathways, in the production of plant secondary metabolites. MICROMETABOLITE aims at exploring the plant-associated microflora for improving the production of bioactive secondary plant metabolites that are of high value for industrial applications. The network will focus on members of the Boraginaceae plant family including Lithospermum and Alkanna species, which produce the naphtoquinones shikonin and alkannin derivatives (A/S). These plants are used for the production of several pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical preparations that are already on the market or in the final stages of development. Specifically, we will analyse relationships between the content of A/S or other secondary metabolites, the plant genotype, and the plant-associated microflora. Further, we will explore in which ways microorganisms beneficially influence metabolite production, and we will establish novel production systems, enabling that raw materials for industrial applications can be cultivated under Good Agricultural Practices (GAP).
MICROMETABOLITE aspires to create an environment that will foster synergistic cooperation between researchers in relevant, currently hardly inter-linked scientific disciplines and maximize the exploitation of plant biotechnology in accordance with the needs of the European pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. As the first network in this area, it will train some of the most talented European young scientists (ESRs) to become future leading scientists, technologists and entrepreneurs, who can take on leadership in the required scientific and technological discovery and in the development of next-generation pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical applications.

Coordinator

AIT AUSTRIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY GMBH
Net EU contribution
€ 511 868,16
Other funding
€ 0,00

Participants (5)

UNIVERSITE CATHOLIQUE DE LOUVAIN
Belgium
Net EU contribution
€ 501 120,00
Address
Place De L Universite 1
1348 Louvain La Neuve

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Region
Région wallonne Prov. Brabant Wallon Arr. Nivelles
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Other funding
€ 0,00
ETHNIKO KAI KAPODISTRIAKO PANEPISTIMIO ATHINON
Greece
Net EU contribution
€ 484 773,84
Address
6 Christou Lada Str
10561 Athina

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Region
Κεντρικός Τομέας Αθηνών Aττική Αττική
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Other funding
€ 0,00
INSTITUT FUR PFLANZENKULTUR EK
Germany
Net EU contribution
€ 249 216,48
Address
Solkau 2
29465 Schnega

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SME

The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.

Yes
Region
Niedersachsen Lüneburg Lüchow-Dannenberg
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Other funding
€ 0,00
ARISTOTELIO PANEPISTIMIO THESSALONIKIS
Greece
Net EU contribution
€ 484 773,84
Address
Kedea Building, Tritis Septemvriou, Aristotle University Campus
546 36 Thessaloniki

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Region
Θεσσαλονίκη Κεντρική Μακεδονία Βόρεια Ελλάδα
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Other funding
€ 0,00
UNIVERSITEIT GENT
Belgium
Net EU contribution
€ 501 120,00
Address
Sint Pietersnieuwstraat 25
9000 Gent

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Region
Vlaams Gewest Prov. Oost-Vlaanderen Arr. Gent
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Other funding
€ 0,00