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Advancing Europe's Next Generations on the Path to Sustainability – Expanding the Universe of Enzymatic Halogenation Chemistry

Project description

Training scientists for eco-friendly chemistry

As a common chemical process used to manufacture pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and fine chemicals, halogenation produces pollution. Finding cleaner alternatives is crucial. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the HALOVERSE project will train PhD students in biocatalysis. Its overall goal is to use and modify enzymes to replace polluting methods with efficient, eco-friendly processes that require fewer resources and less energy. HALOVERSE brings together enzymology, computational biology, and industrial process engineering, while connecting laboratory discoveries to real-world applications. Overall, HALOVERSE will advance sustainable chemistry and prepare a new generation of scientists to guide Europe’s shift to greener bio-based technologies.

Objective

The mission of the HALOVERSE double doctorates PhD programme is to train 13 PhD students in a synergistic multidisciplinary environment to lead Europe's next generations towards sustainability in halogenation, a highly polluting chemical process. Enzyme catalysis contributes to sustainability through efficient use of natural resources and energy, minimising environmental impact and supporting the European Green Deal, the MSCA Green Charter and the UN SDGs. HALOVERSE will develop powerful enzymatic systems for selective halogenation to revolutionise 21st century chemistry. It aims to overcome the limitations of enzymatic halogenation by discovering and engineering biocatalysts with broad catalytic scope, substrate diversity and robustness, and by developing new process strategies for the functionalisation of complex molecules. HALOVERSE will bridge academic proof-of-concept knowledge with industrial applications by integrating the predictive power of computational biology and novel continuous process strategies on three classes of halogenases to produce versatile pharmaceuticals, fine- and agrochemicals. The scientific approach of the double degree programme will provide in-depth training in complementary disciplines, combining advanced enzymology and computational biology with the engineering challenges posed by halogenases in industrial settings. Industrial partners will lead innovation, scale up commercially relevant processes focusing on continuous synthesis and contribute to the training programme, ensuring technology transfer and development strategies, both career and product oriented. HALOVERSE will ensure European leadership in industrial biotechnology, paving the way for bio-based materials and products with a low environmental footprint, preventing and mitigating pollution. 12 non-academic partners and 10 academic institutions provide a synergistic environment and offer 13 PhD students excellent employability profiles in the European biotechnology sector.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-DN-JD - HORIZON TMA MSCA Doctoral Networks - Joint Doctorates

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-DN-01

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Coordinator

RIJKSUNIVERSITEIT GRONINGEN
Net EU contribution
€ 1 221 143,04
Address
Broerstraat 5
9712CP Groningen
Netherlands
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
No data

Participants (6)

Partners (14)