Project description
Polymers as a source of advanced healthcare materials
Due to their natural abundance, tunable degradation, easy processability, cytocompatibility and controllable physicochemical properties, polymers are a source of advanced healthcare materials. The question now is how polymer features and processing conditions determine the nanostructure for the materials derived. The EU-funded SUPERB project will use molecular dynamics simulations to select protein sequences and processing conditions for material manufacture. It will also biosynthesise selected proteins via fermentative process. Additionally, the project will fabricate, test and characterise hydrogels or thin-film materials for model validation. SUPERB will also develop a methodology to improve the rationality and decrease the time needed to develop new protein healthcare materials, reducing animal use and experimental cost.
Objective
The SUPERB project will train an experienced researcher (ER), Dr. Diego López Barreiro, in the modelling and manufacture of protein-based polymers for healthcare materials. The ER will combine building blocks of structural proteins like elastin or collagen into de novo fusion protein polymers. The healthcare community is becoming increasingly interested in these polymers as a source of advanced healthcare materials, due to their natural abundance, tuneable degradation, easy processability, cytocompatibility, or controllable physicochemical properties. This project will study how polymer features and processing conditions determine the nanostructure of the materials derived thereof, and hence their macroscopic properties. This will be done through an interdisciplinary approach that will (i) use molecular dynamics simulations to select protein sequences and processing conditions for material manufacture; (ii) biosynthesise selected proteins via fermentative processes; and (iii) fabricate, test and characterise hydrogels or thin film materials for model validation. The excellent knowledge and expertise of the host institution in this crucial field for the EU will ensure the success of this proposal. This project will develop a methodology to improve the rationality and decrease the time needed to develop new protein healthcare materials, reducing animal use and experimental costs. Moreover, while the proposed approach is used here on a limited suite of protein building blocks, it can be applied to any other peptide sequences or biopolymers (e.g. bioactive peptides, bioplastics, nanocellulose), becoming a valuable tool to accelerate the discovery of healthcare materials. Furthermore, the project will support the ER in deepening his expertise in protein materials and expose him to the industrial field. This will also enhance his research, project and IPR management skills, acquiring necessary competences for professional maturity and an independent career.
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 biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- natural sciences chemical sciences polymer sciences
- engineering and technology materials engineering coating and films
- engineering and technology industrial biotechnology biomaterials bioplastics
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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-EF-SE - Society and Enterprise panel
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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-2019
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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.
2613 AX Delft
Netherlands
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.