Objective
Self-oscillation is a periodic motion generated and maintained by a source of power that lacks the corresponding periodicity. In living systems several periodic motility processes or structural differentiation arise with no on-off stimuli, merely under the continual flow-in and flow-out of material and energy. The popular synthetic dynamic models use oscillatory chemical reactions to drive the system, though in most real cases no underlying biochemical oscillator is found. One clue is in the interdependence of chemistry and mechanics (stress, elasticity, or transport). Periodicity is counterintuitive because it cannot be attributed to any of the subsystems individually: this property emerges only through the collective behaviour of the components, as a systems-level property. To understand biological systems, we need to understand how these properties and functions are generated and controlled. Feedback-loops between chemical and mechanical processes are intrinsic in morphogenesis, though mechano-chemical feedback is generally still lacking in synthetic systems.
I build coupled reaction-diffusion-mechanics systems, where a chemoresponsive hydrogel swells and shrinks (and, e.g. lifts and lowers a load) in a constant and uniform unreacted chemical environment, with no external stimuli. The chemistry is not oscillatory in itself, that is, if the gel is rigid or insufficiently responsive. Previous systems (mostly with inorganic reactions) operated under the continuous flow of fresh reactants. This inconvenience would be eliminated by making a big step forwards to biochemistry, where the reaction is linked to an enzyme immobilized in the gel. First we wish to demonstrate such a biocompatible system with the urease-urea reaction. After exploring the operating conditions, this autonomous system could fit to engineer regulatory functions by opening-closing a valve or to obtain biologically meaningful chemical responses by applying a force (pull, release) and vice versa.
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 enzymes
- natural sciences chemical sciences
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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-CAR - CAR – Career Restart 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-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.
S10 2TN SHEFFIELD
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.