Objective
Within the framework of DNA-ENC SYNCELLS I will develop a synthetic inheritable genome capable of Darwinian evolution which encodes for the phenotype of self-replicating synthetic cells. The defining principles of life, namely compartmentalisation, replication and evolution, will thus be realised in a completely synthetic system for the first time. Two types of DNA tiles – a stiff and a soft tile – arranged in a lattice will serve as bits of information, replicating, without any enzymes, via mechanical scission. The DNA lattice will further act as an artificial cytoskeleton specifying the mechanics and shaping the phenotype of synthetic compartments assembled on a microfluidic chip. After sequentially adding the DNA tiles and catalysts for lipogenesis, the synthetic cells will be subjected to multiple growth and mechanically initiated division cycles. Variations in the mechanical properties will influence the division rate and thus lead to evolution in heterogeneous populations. The evolutionary trajectory of the system will be studied under different selection pressures. Within this two-year fellowship, hosted at the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research in Heidelberg and supervised by Prof. Joachim Spatz, I will contribute to the fundamental knowledge of synthetic cells and enhance its applicability using programmable man-made materials. Greatly profiting from the synergy between my expertise on DNA nanotechnology and the host’s high-quality research on microfluidics, synthetic biology and biophysics, this interdisciplinary project will open up broad perspectives for cellular machines capable of autonomous cargo transport, pathogen recognition or as substrates for 3D-bioprinting and tissue repair in vitro and in vivo – the envisioned focus of my subsequent career in research.
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 physical sciences classical mechanics fluid mechanics microfluidics
- natural sciences biological sciences synthetic biology
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics DNA
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics genomes
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins enzymes
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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-2017
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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.
80539 MUNCHEN
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.