Objective Cyanobacteria are versatile photosynthetic organisms that have attracted interest as a sustainable biotechnological host chassis. The toolkit for these organisms is growing fast, however, limitations such as low productivities are still a major drawback for this emerging technology. Cynthetica will address the issue of recombinant product yields and develop two separate tools that can be universally applied for product synthesis in cyanobacteria. WP1 incorporates the development of an ‘anchor tool’ to increase stability and the interaction of membrane-bound recombinant enzymes, such as cytochrome P450s, in cyanobacterial thylakoid membranes via membrane anchor engineering. This will lead to improved metabolic fluxes through the pathway and, thus, higher product yields. In WP2 a ‘capsule tool’ will be developed. Cyanobacterial strains with proteinaceous shells, so-called microcompartments, will be generated to encapsulate biosynthetic pathways for improved product yields. In WP3 the Cynthetica tools will be tested at scale for their applicability in an industrial setting during a secondment with the partner organisation AGROT.The intersectoral knowledge transfer between UCPH, AGROT and the fellow will allow for timely progression of the project, delivering cutting edge science and allowing the fellow to grow not only her scientific skill set but also reach maturity as an academic researcher. Thanks to the state-of-the art equipment and expertise available at UCPH and AGROT the project will have most favourable conditions to be a success. The Horizon 2020 framework highlights the need to develop a sustainable biotechnology sector in Europe. Cynthetica will position itself at the forefront of this emerging field by delivering innovative synthetic biology tools for establishing cyanobacteria as a powerful photosynthetic production platform. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiologybacteriologynatural sciencesbiological sciencessynthetic biologyengineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsnatural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesatmospheric sciencesclimatologyclimatic changesnatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsenzymes Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2016 - Individual Fellowships Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2016 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF Coordinator KOBENHAVNS UNIVERSITET Net EU contribution € 200 194,80 Address NORREGADE 10 1165 Kobenhavn Denmark See on map Region Danmark Hovedstaden Byen København Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 200 194,80