Project description
Molecular dynamics simulations probe mechanisms of structural colour in plants
Both chemical and structural colour exist in nature. Chemical colour is based on pigments, molecules that absorb certain wavelengths. Structural colour is based on microstructures on an object’s surface that reflect certain wavelengths, such as on the surface of a soap bubble or an oil slick. Structural colouration in many plant species occurs via the arrangement of cellulose microfibrils into helicoidal architectures within the cell wall. How these form is poorly understood. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the NatColor-MD project aims to employ molecular dynamics simulations and experiments to investigate the role of hemicelluloses in the helicoidal architecture of cellulose nanofibrils and their impact on structural colour.
Objective
Structural coloration in plants, achieved through the arrangement of cellulose microfibrils into helicoidal architectures within the cell wall, is a widespread strategy observed in various plant species, including ferns, monocots, and eudicots. Despite its prevalence, the underlying mechanisms responsible for these hierarchical structures in plant cell walls remain poorly understood. To address this knowledge gap, this proposal focuses on unraveling the intricate interactions between cellulose and hemicellulStructural coloration in plants, achieved through the arrangement of cellulose microfibrils into helicoidal architectures within the cell wall, is a widespread strategy observed in various plant species, including ferns, monocots, and eudicots. Despite its prevalence, the underlying mechanisms responsible for these hierarchical structures in plant cell walls remain poorly understood. To address this knowledge gap, this proposal focuses on unraveling the intricate interactions between cellulose and hemicelluloses, the key constituents of plant cell walls, using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The primary objective of this research is to investigate how the chemical composition of hemicelluloses influences the formation of helicoidal structures in cellulose nanofibrils within plant cell walls and, subsequently, the resulting structural coloration. Combining MD simulation results with experimental data will provide a comprehensive understanding of the impact of hemicelluloses on the helicoidal architecture of cellulose nanofibrils. Beyond its immediate scope, this study offers insights into the biosynthesis of cellulose and hemicelluloses in plant cell walls, shedding light on fundamental processes in plant biology. By elucidating the molecular dynamics underlying these interactions, this research contributes to our broader understanding of structural coloration strategies in the plant kingdom and offers potential applications in bio-inspired materials science.
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 materials engineering colors
- agricultural sciences agriculture, forestry, and fisheries agriculture horticulture fruit growing
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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.
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.