Project description
Efficient catalysts with living bacteria for new drug precursors
Sustainable economic development demands new biocatalysts. Halogenated compounds, key products with multiple biological activities and applications, are exclusively obtained via traditional chemistry. Selective halogenation is a key strategy to modify drug properties. Currently, 30 % of drugs in clinical trials are halogenated, and 85 % of all pharmaceutical agents involve chlorine. The EU-funded DONNA project aims at the bio-based production of chlorinated metabolites via metabolic engineering of the model bacterium Pseudomonas putida. A roadmap towards a re-factored version of the microorganism will be established. Chlorinated metabolites will be funneled into new-to-nature polyketides by re-programmed polyketide synthases enzymes. The portfolio of halogenated molecules from these cell factories will contribute to the European knowledge-based bio-economy, enhancing competitiveness and benefiting the society as a whole.
Objective
Sustainable economic development requires new biocatalysts to carry out novel, selective synthesis reactions in an environmentally-friendly fashion. Halogenated organic compounds, key products due to their multiple biological activities and industrial applications, continue to be produced via traditional chemistry and their efficient and cost-effective biosynthesis has not been yet achieved. In the present project, rooted in Metabolic Engineering and Synthetic Biology approaches, I will undertake a complete genetic and metabolic engineering of the model bacterium Pseudomonas putida KT2440 to create a platform for the bio-based production of chlorinated polyketides à la carte, which will contribute to the design of new drug analogues. I will establish and implement a clear roadmap from the extant bacterium to a re-factored version of the microorganism capable of efficiently producing chlorinated precursors, which will be channeled to the synthesis of new-to-nature chlorinated polyketides by reprogrammed modular polyketide synthases enzymes. Furthermore, the broad portfolio of halogenated molecules that can be synthetized with the cell factories from this project will contribute to the European knowledge-based bio-economy, enhance the EU's competitiveness in White Biotechnology and benefit the society as a whole. From a personal perspective, the implementation of this challenging and innovative project in The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability (DTU Biosustain, the ideal scientific environment to pursue the tasks of DONNA), under the supervision of Dr. Pablo I. Nikel (an expert in the field of Metabolic Engineering of Pseudomonas), will be an unbeatable opportunity for both my professional and personal development. My solid scientific background, on the other hand, ensures a smooth progression as an independent researcher in the field of Metabolic Engineering that will result in a win-win situation for myself and the receiving laboratory.
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.
- engineering and technology industrial biotechnology metabolic engineering
- natural sciences chemical sciences organic chemistry
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology bacteriology
- natural sciences biological sciences synthetic biology
- social sciences other social sciences development studies development economics
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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-ST - Standard EF
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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-2018
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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.
2800 Kongens Lyngby
Denmark
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.