Objective
Photosynthesis sustains life on Earth by turning sunlight into fuel for other biological processes. However, photosynthetic organisms can face a lethal threat when they suddenly receive too much light. In cyanobacteria, key photoprotection against excessive illumination involves the Orange Carotenoid Protein (OCP) and the light-harvesting pigment-proteins, Phycobilisomes (PBs). When photoactivated OCP binds to a PB, surplus solar energy absorbed by the PB is safely dissipated, and photosynthesis can continue despite dangerous conditions. While our understanding of the OCP-related mechanism has improved over the last years, its dynamic aspects and the intermediate steps of activation remain largely elusive due to the lack of appropriate experimental techniques.
In this interdisciplinary project, I will explore the OCP-related mechanism in vitro using a novel spectroscopic approach: the PHOTOactivation VISible Transient Absorption spectroscopy (photoVISTA) and isolated OCPs & PBs. With photoVISTA, I will dissect the activation of this molecular mechanism across multiple timescales with the femtosecond temporal resolution, from the earliest photophysical and photochemical reactions taking place at the order of femtoseconds to processes beyond the seconds. I will reveal the intermediate steps between the initial absorption of a photon by the OCP and its photoactivation, up to its binding and docking on a PB and energy dissipation in the OCP-PB complex. Being a multipulse technique, photoVISTA will provide unprecedented control over OCP’s photoactivation and will let me propose a comprehensive molecular model of photoprotection beyond the reach of conventional pump-probe spectroscopy.
The breakthroughs in this project, further explaining how cyanobacteria manage the flow of excitation energy in their photosynthetic apparatus, will give us crucial know-how for improving photosynthesis and impacting green biotechnology and food production.
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.
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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-2023-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.
08860 Castelldefels
Spain
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.