Project description
Uncovering the mechanisms of lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases’ cellulose degradation
Cellulose is the world’s most common biopolymer, a structural part of plant and tree cell walls. Our inability to digest it gives our gastrointestinal system a good workout trying. However, the same stubborn stability of cellulose is a problem when it comes to breaking it down for applications in biofuels. A family of recently discovered enzymes called lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases boost cellulose degradation. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the MetEmbed project plans to develop and apply molecular dynamics simulation approaches and quantum mechanical methods to elucidate the mechanisms. This will support inexpensive valorisation of cheap and abundant cellulose as a biofuel alternative to fossil fuels.
Objective
The proposed project aims to develop and apply quantum mechanical (QM) methods targeted at metalloenzymes, for which the methods in use today often fail. The failures are caused by inaccuracies in either 1) the underlying protein structures, 2) the employed QM method or 3) the embedding method that describes electrostatic interactions between the protein environment and the active site (i.e. metal and its nearest ligands). The MetEmbed project addresses 1), 2) and 3) with hydrogenases and polysaccharide monooxygenases (PMOs) as target enzymes. Hydrogenases mediate the reversible conversion of dihydrogen into hydride ions and protons, while PMOs have shown great potential for biofuel production. The overall objective is to investigate the reaction and spin-state energetics for key intermediates in the two proteins' catalytic cycles. To ensure that the underlying structures are accurate, extensive molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with tailored force fields and QM/MM methods will be employed. The adequacy of the QM methods will be ensured by using accurate, multireference QM methods that are known to be well-suited for transition metal systems. Two new multireference QM methods will be applied, namely a multiconfigurational density functional theory hybrid and the density matrix renormalization group method. These methods have high potential for metalloenzymes, but have until now only found little use in this area. To address the effect of the protein electrostatics, an accurate embedding scheme that, contrary to most QM/MM methods, includes the polarization of the environment will be used. The combination of 1) accurate structures, 2) accurate QM methods and 3) polarizable embedding schemes is unprecedented for metalloenzymes. The MetEmbed project will thus predict energetics with a new level of confidence for two systems with high potential in the areas of energy efficiency and low-carbon energy production; both central parts of the HORIZON2020 program.
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 mathematics applied mathematics mathematical physics
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules carbohydrates
- natural sciences computer and information sciences computational science multiphysics
- engineering and technology industrial biotechnology biomaterials biofuels
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins enzymes
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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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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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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.
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)
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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) H2020-MSCA-IF-2016
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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.
22100 Lund
Sweden
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.