Project description
Harnessing chemical networks to understand the origins of life
Networks of interchanging molecules that respond to various external stimuli (salt, heat, light) is the stuff that nature is made of. The ability to mimic biological networks could usher in a new era of synthetic chemistry that would have tremendous potential, especially for 21st century medicine. The EU-funded SUPRANET project is investigating dynamic chemical networks through the lens of two scenarios, one applied and one basic. The first is assessing their use in the context of molecular 'cages' for the transport of inorganic ions as drugs. The second evaluates the consumption of fuel molecules by mixtures of biological building blocks, which is a key process required for the emergence of life.
Objective
Over the past two decades, a branch of organic chemistry has emerged that breaks with the paradigm of synthesizing pure compounds and focusses instead on complex (macro)molecular networks akin to those found in nature. In this proposed project, we aim to address unmet challenges in supramolecular chemistry and systems chemistry by developing original dynamic reaction networks whose building blocks are capable of supramolecular (self-)recognition.
The first two objectives of SUPRANET focus on the use of dynamic covalent orthoester networks for the discovery of anion, cation and ion pair receptors, whose unique properties may pave the way towards the utilization of inorganic ions as drugs. For instance, we will develop self-assembled ion pair cages for the electro-neutral transport of medicinally relevant anions across phospholipid membranes. Our network approach will also allow us to “imprison” ionic guests for the first time in self-assembled receptors that could be used for the transport and controlled release of ions, even against osmotic pressure.
Objectives three and four of SUPRANET go beyond the equilibrium state and, as such, are relevant to the chemistry of life, in which key processes depend on dissipative steady states. The proposed reaction networks will feature biologically relevant ribose building blocks that are continuously assembled and disassembled by two different irreversible reactions, resulting in steady state mixtures of either RNA oligomers or ribose-derived vesicles. It is our hope that these studies will provide insights into open questions regarding the molecular origins of life, such as the non-enzymatic formation of RNA oligomers capable of self-recognition and the simultaneous emergence of compartmentalization and self-replication.
SUPRANET thus seeks to break new ground in both equilibrium and far-from-equilibrium dynamic networks and is equally motivated by applied and fundamental challenges.
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 chemical sciences polymer sciences
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics RNA
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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.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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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.
ERC-STG - Starting Grant
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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) ERC-2018-STG
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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.
89081 Ulm
Germany
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.