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EXPLOITING METAL-MICROBE APPLICATIONS TO EXPAND THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Project description

Of microbes and metals in a circular economy

Metals are an essential part of daily life and are even required by life itself – but metal sources are finite and irreplaceable. What metals do microbes need and how can these metal-microbe interactions be exploited? Where do metals fit in the circular bioeconomy? The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions M2ex project is a multidisciplinary, Innovative Training Network bringing together a team of world-leading, European researchers with expertise in chemistry, microbiology, environmental engineering and mathematical modeling to study the application in the bioeconomy of microbially-mediated processes underpinned by metals. Focussing on the field of anaerobic bioprocesses, waste reduction and re-utilisation, and resource recovery, the project will deliver doctoral training to 15 early-stage researchers (ESRs) as well as a range of high-impact scientific outputs to advance the development of Europe’s bioeconomy.

Objective

The vision for the M2EX EJD Network (EXploiting Metal-Microbe applications to EXpand the circular economy) is to bring together an interdisciplinary team of world-leading European researchers to tackle a highly ambitious scientific project, focusing on the chemical, molecular and biogeochemical mechanisms of microbially-mediated processes underpinned by metals, which will deliver the doctoral training of 15 early-stage researchers (ESRs) and a range of clearly-defined, high impact scientific outputs to advance the state-of-the-art around the management of metals in Europe’s 21st-century bioeconomy. The complementary research skills and training expertise within this inter-sectoral Network will ensure that the ESRs trained will be at the front of Europe’s next generation of innovative research leaders. The research topics revolve around the role, and potential, of metals in anaerobic biotechnologies for (i) metal recovery, (ii) bioremediation of waste streams containing high metal content or (iii) low metal content for biological applications. Thus, the focus of the research is on topics extended from the field of anaerobic bioprocesses. High-end analytical techniques and novel experimental approaches will be tested, and used, to provide training and an exceptional research environment in tackling the chemical, microbiological and biotechnological aspects of managing the ‘Metal Bioeconomy’. These areas will be explored along with modelling of the distribution and interactions of metals at the scale of elemental speciation (the ‘chemosphere’); cells and genomes (the ‘micro-scale’ and the “T-Elementome”); biofilms (at the scale of microbial communities and assemblages); and in anaerobic biotechnologies (the ‘technosphere’). Engaging projects have also been designed for the M2EX ESRs to investigate the fate, the role and the impact of metals on environmental quality and processes, to understand the potential of the circular bioeconomy.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

MSCA-ITN - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Networks (ITN)

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-ITN-2019

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Coordinator

AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS
Net EU contribution
€ 752 714,64
Address
CALLE SERRANO 117
28006 Madrid
Spain
Region
Comunidad de Madrid Comunidad de Madrid Madrid
Activity type
Research Organisations
Links
Total cost
€ 752 714,64

Participants (4)