Objective
Primary energy conversion in nature is powered by highly efficient enzymes that capture chemical or light energy and transduce it into other energy forms. These processes are catalyzed by coupled transfers of protons and electrons (PCET), but their fundamental mechanistic principles are not well understood. In order to obtain a molecular-level understanding of the functional elements powering biological energy conversion processes, we will study the catalytic machinery of one of the largest and most intricate enzymes in mitochondria and bacteria, the respiratory complex I. This gigantic redox-driven proton-pump functions as the entry point for electrons into aerobic respiratory chains, and it employs the energy released from a chemical reduction process to transport protons up to 200 Å away from its active site. Its molecular structure from bacteria and eukaryotes was recently resolved, but the origin of this remarkable action-at-a-distance effect still remains unclear. We employ and develop multi-scale quantum and classical molecular simulation techniques in combination with de novo-protein design methodology to identify and isolate the functional elements that catalyze the long-range PCET reactions in complex I. To fully understand the natural PCET-elements, we will further engineer central parts of this machinery into artificial protein frameworks, with the goal of designing modules for redox-driven proton pumps from first principles. The project aims to establish a fundamental understanding of nature's toolbox of catalytic elements, to elucidate how the complex biochemical environment contributes to the catalytic effects, and to provide blueprints that can guide the design of man-made enzymes for sustainable energy technology.
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: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
- natural sciences physical sciences theoretical physics particle physics
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology bacteriology
- natural sciences computer and information sciences computational science
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins enzymes
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels energy conversion
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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.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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.
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-2016-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.
10691 Stockholm
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.