Project description
Engineering responsive vesicles inspired by nature for nanotechnological applications
Cells are complex factories producing, transporting and exporting or importing "products" in virtually unlimited signal processing and communication cascades. Given the compartmentalisation via membranes both within and between cells, many of these pathways also rely on the movement of substances across membranes in various ways. This includes opening of pores, active transport against concentration gradients via miniature transmembrane machines or even fusion of vesicle membranes with other membranes to expel or inject vesicular cargo to the other side. The EU-funded CoVes project is developing an experimental platform to study these processes, enabling the creation of vesicles able to store and transfer information using stimuli and leading to bio-inspired nanotechnology.
Objective
Networks constituted from single components able to communicate with each other in a controlled manner are at the basis of every phenomenon occurring in the world around us. Understanding and controlling information transmission processes represents one of the greatest challenges for modern scientists. I propose to develop an understanding of the working principles of complex information processing networks by using an artificial system that resembles Nature’s cell-based communication systems. Inspired by the cascade processes occurring in Nature such as the second messenger system and extracellular messenger release, “CoVes” will be based on responsive Vesicles able to Communicate in a specific and targeted manner due to different input signals. Vesicles will be equipped with a series of synthetic transducers that respond to orthogonal external chemical stimuli. Transmembrane signalling will be coupled with internal chemical messenger release leading to communication between vesicles in an information network. The working principles of the novel multi-component ensembles will be investigated leading to systems capable of transmitting information under different diffusion conditions and paving the way for novel communication mechanisms. The accurate and reliable prediction of communication processes will lead to vesicle ensembles able to store and transfer information using orthogonal stimuli which will be crucial for the development of bio-inspired nanotechnology, such as interfaces for communication with cellular systems. The accomplishments achieved through CoVes will make chemistry not only the science of matter transformation, but also the science of information storage, elaboration and transfer.
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.
- engineering and technology nanotechnology
- natural sciences computer and information sciences data science data processing
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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-2018
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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.
CB2 1TN CAMBRIDGE
United Kingdom
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.