Descrizione del progetto
Assemblare gli elementi costitutivi della natura in modi nuovi per nuovi bioprodotti
Le proteine e i polisaccaridi (carboidrati complessi) sono i polimeri della natura, grandi molecole fatte di piccole unità che si ripetono (monomeri). Nel caso delle proteine, le unità sono i peptidi, mentre nel caso dei polisaccaridi, le unità sono i saccaridi o zuccheri più semplici. Il progetto PEPSA-MATE, finanziato dall’UE, ha creato un team multidisciplinare che include ricercatori all’inizio della carriera al fine di ricavare nuovi prodotti dagli elementi costitutivi della natura attraverso la progettazione razionale. Il team sta creando una biblioteca di nanopeptidi e nanosaccaridi e un’innovativa piattaforma informatica per «scoprire» biopolimeri avanzati intesi ad applicazioni biomediche e commerciali. Oltre al fatto che rappresentano alternative ecocompatibili alle plastiche convenzionali derivanti da combustibile fossile, essi saranno inoltre biofunzionali e biocompatibili con l’uso come piattaforma per la somministrazione di farmaci.
Obiettivo
Long-range research and innovation goal towards transformative biomaterials and technologies: The long-range goal of PEPSA-MATE is to develop and translate sustainable nanostructured functional materials, based on peptides and polysaccharides, using computer-based theoretical design approach and innovative fabrication technologies.PEPSA-MATE will generate a library of functional nanosaccharides and nanopeptides to be used as building blocks for the fabrication of advanced biomaterials.
Key Research and Innovation Goals: The objective of PEPSA-MATE is to turn biopolymers into sustainable products using innovative technologies. This will result in alternative biomaterial to conventional, non-degradable synthetic polymers and inorganic materials.
Scientific impact: Translation opportunities will be explored in three topic research areas; 1) Phytoglycogen nanoparticles to fabricate bioadhesives, bioplastics and drug carriers; 2) Ultrasonic fabrication of biofunctional nanopeptides; 3) Nanostructured saccharide microparticles as universal platform to deliver a wide range of therapeutic molecules.
Impact on early-stage researchers: PEPSA-MATE involves key participation of junior researchers providing strong support for the development of their careers.
Intersectoral dimension: PEPSA-MATE will develop intersectoral collaborations between a SME and academic partners to boost entrepreneurship creativity towards sustainable products and processes.
Interdisciplinary dimension: PEPSA-MATE will bring together interdisciplinary and complementary expertise in the field of nanomaterials science, polysaccharides and peptides chemistry, acoustic technologies, cell biology, biophysics, and computational modelling. International dimension: PEPSA-MATE will enable long-term, transformative research collaborations between research groups and SMEs settled in European Countries (Italy, Czech Rep., Germany and Spain) and in four non-EU Countries (Australia, Brazil, Cuba and South Africa).
Campo scientifico
- natural sciencesbiological sciencescell biology
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculescarbohydrates
- engineering and technologynanotechnologynano-materials
- social scienceseconomics and businesseconomicssustainable economy
- engineering and technologyindustrial biotechnologybiomaterialsbioplastics
Parole chiave
Programma(i)
Meccanismo di finanziamento
MSCA-RISE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (RISE)Coordinatore
00133 Roma
Italia