Project description
Harnessing nature’s underwater adhesives for strong attachments
In the harsh environment of the intertidal zone, marine organisms like mussels and barnacles must form robust attachments to withstand crashing waves. To achieve this, they have evolved high-performance underwater adhesives that can bond to various surface chemistries – surpassing the capabilities of current commercial glues. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the FucAd project will investigate the adhesion properties of the brown macroalgae Fucus vesiculosus. By analysing its composition, structure, and adhesive qualities, researchers will use advanced microscopy techniques to study the adhesive formation process right after fertilisation. Understanding these chemical principles could lead to the development of innovative, sustainable adhesives with vast medical and industrial applications.
Objective
Many marine organisms of the intertidal zone like mussels, barnacles and various algae must form strong attachments to the substrate in their environment in order to resist forces of crashing waves. Therefore, they evolved high-performance underwater adhesives which are able to stick to various surface chemistries - a feat unmatched by current glues on the market. Understanding the chemistry and formation process of these adhesives has great potential for the development of synthetic underwater glues which are of high interest for medical and industrial applications.
Here, I propose to conduct research on the underwater adhesion of the brown macroalgae Fucus vesiculosus analyzing its composition, structure and adhesive properties. For this purpose, the early formation process shortly after the fertilization of Fucus egg cells will be analyzed using a combination of traditional histology and advanced electron microscopic and spectroscopic techniques. Once key building blocks have been identified, their dynamic secretion and assembly process will be followed over time. Additionally, the curing of the adhesive and the involved crosslinking reactions will be investigated after different time points. Elucidating key chemical principles of the complex formation of this underwater adhesive has the potential to inspire the development of novel and sustainable adhesives with a wide range of applications.
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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)
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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.
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.