Project description
Metabolic engineering to improve meat substitutes
Over the coming years, food security will be jeopardised by a growing population and global warming. Even though fungal mycoprotein can serve as a sustainable protein source, it has several limitations, such as limitations in sensory properties and availability of micronutrients. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the FvSynBio project focuses on the metabolic engineering of fungi to enable the production of mycoprotein with improved nutritional and organoleptic properties. More specifically, it will involve developing stable genetic elements, optimising metabolic pathways, and assessing the prospects of scaling and economics. As part of the EU Green Deal, this approach will increase the efficiency of production, lower expenses, and boost the nutritional and sensory properties of meat substitutes.
Objective
Global food security is facing mounting challenges from population growth, climate change, and the environmental costs associated with conventional agriculture. Fungal mycoproteins offer sustainable, protein-rich alternatives; however, current products are limited by their pale colour, mild flavour, and low haem iron content, which requires the use of costly additives. This project, FvSynBio, pioneers the metabolic engineering of fungi to enable the synchronous bioproduction of haemoglobin (Hb) and mycoprotein within a single biomass. By integrating advanced CRISPR/Cas9 and synthetic biology tools, the project will construct stable genetic modules, optimise metabolic pathways and fermentation processes, and validate scalability and economic viability through techno-economic assessment. This innovation eliminates blending steps, reduces production costs, and delivers meat substitutes with enhanced sensory and nutritional properties, including authentic red colour, meaty flavour, and improved iron nutrition. The originality lies in establishing fungi as a platform for functional Hb expression, significantly expanding its genetic toolbox and positioning it at the forefront of fungal synthetic biology. Outcomes include engineered strains, robust fermentation protocols, and an open, transferable toolkit benefiting the wider microbial biotechnology community. Impact extends beyond science: reducing reliance on animal agriculture, contributing to the EU Green Deal, and unlocking cost-effective, climate-resilient protein sources for global markets.
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
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology mycology
- medical and health sciences health sciences nutrition
- agricultural sciences agriculture, forestry, and fisheries agriculture
- engineering and technology industrial biotechnology bioprocessing technologies fermentation
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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-2025-PF
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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.
SW7 2AZ London
United Kingdom
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.