Objective
In recent years, membraneless organelles were shown to be intracellular liquid like condensates formed through phase separation. Following their discovery, they have been found across all kingdoms of life. For some of these organelles, a crucial role in cellular physiology has been determined, while for many others their true function remains unresolved. Recently, it has also emerged that the pyrenoid, which concentrates the CO2 fixation machinery of photosynthesis, behaves like a liquid non-membrane bound organelle in green algae. However, the pyrenoid and its forming protein EPYC1 undergo a complicated assembly in vivo, which poses a challenge for the functional understanding, engineering and transplantation of pyrenoids. Here I propose to use a bottom-up strategy to assemble and evolve pyrenoid formation de novo. To paraphrase the renowned physicist Richard Feynman – “What I cannot create, I do not understand” – I plan to mimic the formation of pyrenoids by fusing liquid-liquid phase separating (LLPS) intrinsically disordered peptides (IDP) to RuBisCO to create artificial pyrenoid-like condensates in vitro (objective 1). From the RuBisCO-IDP library, I will select the best performing condensate for transplanting into S. elongatus to generate an artificial pyrenoid. Subsequently, I will compare this strain with the wild-type and a carboxysome knock-out strain (objective 2). Finally, I will evolve the RuBisCO-IDP and the corresponding strain for enhanced photosynthesis (objective 3). My experiments will inform on the evolutionary differences between different carbon concentrating mechanisms (CCM), on the biochemical mechanisms underlying a liquid-liquid phase separated CCM and will show whether and how CCMs can be engineered towards improved photosynthesis. This project will lay the basis to realize strategies for increased CO2 uptake in phototrophs, thereby providing new options for a carbon-neutral bioeconomy and improved food productivity in the future.
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
- social sciences economics and business economics bioeconomy
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine transplantation
- natural sciences biological sciences botany
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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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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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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) HORIZON-MSCA-2022-PF-01
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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.