Project acronym GREENLIGHT_REDCAT
Project Towards a Greener Reduction Chemistry by Using Cobalt Coordination Complexes as Catalysts and Light-driven Water Reduction as a Source of Reductive Equivalents
Researcher (PI) Julio Lloret Fillol
Host Institution (HI) FUNDACIO PRIVADA INSTITUT CATALA D'INVESTIGACIO QUIMICA
Call Details Consolidator Grant (CoG), PE5, ERC-2014-CoG
Summary The development of alternative greener synthetic methods to transform renewable feedstocks into elaborated chemical structures mediated by solar light is a prerequisite for a future sustainable society. In this regard, this project entails the use of visible light as driving force and water as a source of hydrides for the synthesis of high-value chemicals.
The project merges photoredox catalysis with 1st row transition coordination complexes catalysis to open a new avenue for greener selective catalytic reduction processes for organic substrates. The ground-breaking nature of the project is:
A) Develop light-driven region- and/or enantioselective catalytic reductions using well-defined cobalt coordination complexes with aminopyridine ligands, initially developed for water reduction. Sterics, electronics and supramolecular interactions (apolar cavities and chiral pockets) will be studied to proper control of the selectivity in the reduction of i) C=E and C=C bonds and ii) in the C-C inter- and intramolecular reductive homo- or heterocouplings.
B) Fundamental understanding of the light-driven cobalt catalysed reductions characterizing intermediates that are involved in the reactivity, kinetics and labelling studies as well as performing computational modelling of reaction mechanisms. The basic understanding of operative mechanisms will expedite a new methodology for electrophile-electrophile umpolung couplings.
C) Enhance catalytic performance of the light-driven cobalt catalysed reductions by self-assembling of catalyst-photosensitizer into carbon based pi-conjugated materials through noncovalent supramolecular interactions. Likewise, it will allow electrode immobilization for electrocatalysed reductions using water as a source of protons and electrons.
As a proof of concept, cobalt catalysts based on aminopyridine ligands have been shown highly active in the light-driven reduction of ketones and aldehydes to alcohols, using water as the source of hydrogen atom.
Summary
The development of alternative greener synthetic methods to transform renewable feedstocks into elaborated chemical structures mediated by solar light is a prerequisite for a future sustainable society. In this regard, this project entails the use of visible light as driving force and water as a source of hydrides for the synthesis of high-value chemicals.
The project merges photoredox catalysis with 1st row transition coordination complexes catalysis to open a new avenue for greener selective catalytic reduction processes for organic substrates. The ground-breaking nature of the project is:
A) Develop light-driven region- and/or enantioselective catalytic reductions using well-defined cobalt coordination complexes with aminopyridine ligands, initially developed for water reduction. Sterics, electronics and supramolecular interactions (apolar cavities and chiral pockets) will be studied to proper control of the selectivity in the reduction of i) C=E and C=C bonds and ii) in the C-C inter- and intramolecular reductive homo- or heterocouplings.
B) Fundamental understanding of the light-driven cobalt catalysed reductions characterizing intermediates that are involved in the reactivity, kinetics and labelling studies as well as performing computational modelling of reaction mechanisms. The basic understanding of operative mechanisms will expedite a new methodology for electrophile-electrophile umpolung couplings.
C) Enhance catalytic performance of the light-driven cobalt catalysed reductions by self-assembling of catalyst-photosensitizer into carbon based pi-conjugated materials through noncovalent supramolecular interactions. Likewise, it will allow electrode immobilization for electrocatalysed reductions using water as a source of protons and electrons.
As a proof of concept, cobalt catalysts based on aminopyridine ligands have been shown highly active in the light-driven reduction of ketones and aldehydes to alcohols, using water as the source of hydrogen atom.
Max ERC Funding
1 999 063 €
Duration
Start date: 2015-07-01, End date: 2020-06-30
Project acronym InanoMOF
Project Multifunctional micro- and nanostructures assembled from nanoscale metal-organic frameworks and inorganic nanoparticles
Researcher (PI) Daniel Maspoch Comamala
Host Institution (HI) FUNDACIO INSTITUT CATALA DE NANOCIENCIA I NANOTECNOLOGIA
Call Details Consolidator Grant (CoG), PE5, ERC-2013-CoG
Summary In InanoMOF, we aim to develop frontier Supramolecular and Nanochemistry methodologies for the synthesis of a novel class of structures via controlled assembly of nanoscale metal-organic frameworks (nanoMOFs) and inorganic nanoparticles (INPs). These methods will embody the premise that “controlled object-by-object nano-assembly is a ground-breaking approach to explore for producing systems of higher complexity with advanced functions”. The resulting hybrid nanoMOF@INPs will marry the unique properties of INPs (magnetism of iron oxide NPs and optics of Au NPs) to the functional porosity of MOFs.
The first part of InanoMOF encompasses the design, synthesis-assembly and characterisation of nanoMOF@INPs - advanced MOF-based sorbents that incorporate the functionality of the INPs used: magnetically controlled movement, in vivo detectability, enhanced biocompatibility and porosity, pollutant removal, or controlled sorption/delivery. The second part of InanoMOF entails studying the physicochemical properties of the synthesised nanoMOF@INPs and ascertaining their utility as drug-delivery/theranostic systems and as magnetic sorbents for pollutant removal. Specifically, we will study their stability in working media and determine their capacities for drug or pollutant sorption/delivery capacities. As proof-of-concept, we will study their toxicity in vitro and in vivo; enhancement of their in vitro therapeutic efficacy; and their capacity to remove pollutants (in real water and gasoline/diesel fuel samples) via magnetic assistance.
In InanoMOF we will endeavour to establish the synthetic bases for controlling the spatial ordering of nanoMOF crystals, whether alone or combined with other nanomaterials (e.g. INPs, graphene, etc.). We are confident that our work will ultimately enable researchers to create MOF-based composites having cooperative and synergistic properties and functions for myriad applications (e.g. heterogeneous catalysis, sensing and separation).
Summary
In InanoMOF, we aim to develop frontier Supramolecular and Nanochemistry methodologies for the synthesis of a novel class of structures via controlled assembly of nanoscale metal-organic frameworks (nanoMOFs) and inorganic nanoparticles (INPs). These methods will embody the premise that “controlled object-by-object nano-assembly is a ground-breaking approach to explore for producing systems of higher complexity with advanced functions”. The resulting hybrid nanoMOF@INPs will marry the unique properties of INPs (magnetism of iron oxide NPs and optics of Au NPs) to the functional porosity of MOFs.
The first part of InanoMOF encompasses the design, synthesis-assembly and characterisation of nanoMOF@INPs - advanced MOF-based sorbents that incorporate the functionality of the INPs used: magnetically controlled movement, in vivo detectability, enhanced biocompatibility and porosity, pollutant removal, or controlled sorption/delivery. The second part of InanoMOF entails studying the physicochemical properties of the synthesised nanoMOF@INPs and ascertaining their utility as drug-delivery/theranostic systems and as magnetic sorbents for pollutant removal. Specifically, we will study their stability in working media and determine their capacities for drug or pollutant sorption/delivery capacities. As proof-of-concept, we will study their toxicity in vitro and in vivo; enhancement of their in vitro therapeutic efficacy; and their capacity to remove pollutants (in real water and gasoline/diesel fuel samples) via magnetic assistance.
In InanoMOF we will endeavour to establish the synthetic bases for controlling the spatial ordering of nanoMOF crystals, whether alone or combined with other nanomaterials (e.g. INPs, graphene, etc.). We are confident that our work will ultimately enable researchers to create MOF-based composites having cooperative and synergistic properties and functions for myriad applications (e.g. heterogeneous catalysis, sensing and separation).
Max ERC Funding
1 942 665 €
Duration
Start date: 2014-04-01, End date: 2019-03-31
Project acronym INFIBRENANOSTRUCTURE
Project Fabrication and characterization of dielectric encapsulated millions of ordered kilometer-long nanostructures and their applications
Researcher (PI) Mehmet Bayindir
Host Institution (HI) BILKENT UNIVERSITESI VAKIF
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE5, ERC-2012-StG_20111012
Summary The objective of this project is the realization of a radically new nanowire fabrication technique, and exploration of its potential for nanowire based science and technology. The proposed method involves fabrication of unusually long, ordered nanowire and nanotube arrays in macroscopic fibres by means of an iterative thermal co-drawing process. Starting with a macroscopic rod with an annular hole tightly fitted with another rod of another compatible material, by successive thermal drawing we obtain arrays of nanowires embedded in fibres. With the method, wide range of materials, e.g. semiconductors, polymers, metals, can be turned into ordered nanorods, nanowires, nanotubes in various cross-sectional geometries. Main challenges are the thermal drawing steps that require critical matching of the viscoelastic properties of the protective cover with the encapsulated materials, and the liquid instability problems and phase intermixing with higher temperatures and smaller feature sizes that require high thermal and mechanical precision. Initially, fabrication by drawing will begin with soft amorphous semiconductors, phase change materials, polymers of interest in high temperature polymers, followed by a wider range of materials, low melting temperature metals, metals and common semiconductors (Si, Ge) in silica glass matrices. In this way nanowires that are ordered, easily accessible and hermetically sealed in a dielectric encapsulation will be obtained in high volumes. Potentially, these nanowires are advantages over on-chip nanowires in building flexible out of plane geometries, light weight, wearable and disposable devices. Ultimately, attaining ordered arrays of 1-D nanostructures in an extended flexible fibre with high yields will facilitate sought-after but up-to-now difficult applications such as the large area nanowire electronics and photonics, nanowire based scalable phase-change memory, nanowire photovoltaics, and emerging cell-nanowire interfacing.
Summary
The objective of this project is the realization of a radically new nanowire fabrication technique, and exploration of its potential for nanowire based science and technology. The proposed method involves fabrication of unusually long, ordered nanowire and nanotube arrays in macroscopic fibres by means of an iterative thermal co-drawing process. Starting with a macroscopic rod with an annular hole tightly fitted with another rod of another compatible material, by successive thermal drawing we obtain arrays of nanowires embedded in fibres. With the method, wide range of materials, e.g. semiconductors, polymers, metals, can be turned into ordered nanorods, nanowires, nanotubes in various cross-sectional geometries. Main challenges are the thermal drawing steps that require critical matching of the viscoelastic properties of the protective cover with the encapsulated materials, and the liquid instability problems and phase intermixing with higher temperatures and smaller feature sizes that require high thermal and mechanical precision. Initially, fabrication by drawing will begin with soft amorphous semiconductors, phase change materials, polymers of interest in high temperature polymers, followed by a wider range of materials, low melting temperature metals, metals and common semiconductors (Si, Ge) in silica glass matrices. In this way nanowires that are ordered, easily accessible and hermetically sealed in a dielectric encapsulation will be obtained in high volumes. Potentially, these nanowires are advantages over on-chip nanowires in building flexible out of plane geometries, light weight, wearable and disposable devices. Ultimately, attaining ordered arrays of 1-D nanostructures in an extended flexible fibre with high yields will facilitate sought-after but up-to-now difficult applications such as the large area nanowire electronics and photonics, nanowire based scalable phase-change memory, nanowire photovoltaics, and emerging cell-nanowire interfacing.
Max ERC Funding
1 495 400 €
Duration
Start date: 2012-10-01, End date: 2017-09-30
Project acronym IPES
Project Innovative Polymers for Energy Storage
Researcher (PI) David Mecerreyes Molero
Host Institution (HI) UNIVERSIDAD DEL PAIS VASCO/ EUSKAL HERRIKO UNIBERTSITATEA
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE5, ERC-2012-StG_20111012
Summary iPes project aims to provide adequate support to Dr. David Mecerreyes (DM) who is at the stage of consolidating an independent research team. During his scientific career, DM has demonstrated creative thinking and excellent capacity to carry out research and going beyond the state of the art. His meritorious record of research, scientific publications (128 ISI articles, h index = 33), project conception, private sector experience, networking ability (participated in 10 European collaborative projects) and capacity for supervising and coordinating a research team are presented in detail in the initial part of the proposal. He recently moved from the private sector to create a new research group at the University of the Basque Country. He is now in an excellent academic position and research environment to commit and be devoted to an ERC frontier research project. DM’s proposal passed to the second stage in the ERC starting grant call of last year. This year the research project has been re-built taking into account his group directions and the detected weak points of last year’s proposal. This is his last opportunity for participating to the ERC starting-grant call.
iPes proposes an innovative research programme at the forefront of polymer chemistry. The proposal goes in depth into the topic of energetic polymers. iPes activities will fully develop the field of polymers for energy storage by using an innovative macromolecular engineering approach generating the ground for future innovations. The main S&T goal is to obtain new polymeric materials, to get an insight into their unique electronic properties, to model the new energetic polymers and to investigate their application in innovative battery prototypes. These technologies are currently dominated by inorganic electrode materials. iPes aims at bringing polymer chemistry to a next level and developing basic knowledge about innovative polymeric materials which may open up new opportunities for Energy Storage.
Summary
iPes project aims to provide adequate support to Dr. David Mecerreyes (DM) who is at the stage of consolidating an independent research team. During his scientific career, DM has demonstrated creative thinking and excellent capacity to carry out research and going beyond the state of the art. His meritorious record of research, scientific publications (128 ISI articles, h index = 33), project conception, private sector experience, networking ability (participated in 10 European collaborative projects) and capacity for supervising and coordinating a research team are presented in detail in the initial part of the proposal. He recently moved from the private sector to create a new research group at the University of the Basque Country. He is now in an excellent academic position and research environment to commit and be devoted to an ERC frontier research project. DM’s proposal passed to the second stage in the ERC starting grant call of last year. This year the research project has been re-built taking into account his group directions and the detected weak points of last year’s proposal. This is his last opportunity for participating to the ERC starting-grant call.
iPes proposes an innovative research programme at the forefront of polymer chemistry. The proposal goes in depth into the topic of energetic polymers. iPes activities will fully develop the field of polymers for energy storage by using an innovative macromolecular engineering approach generating the ground for future innovations. The main S&T goal is to obtain new polymeric materials, to get an insight into their unique electronic properties, to model the new energetic polymers and to investigate their application in innovative battery prototypes. These technologies are currently dominated by inorganic electrode materials. iPes aims at bringing polymer chemistry to a next level and developing basic knowledge about innovative polymeric materials which may open up new opportunities for Energy Storage.
Max ERC Funding
1 430 239 €
Duration
Start date: 2012-12-01, End date: 2018-11-30
Project acronym JELLY
Project Biomolecular Hydrogels – from Supramolecular Organization and Dynamics to Biological Function
Researcher (PI) Ralf Peter Richter
Host Institution (HI) ASOCIACION CENTRO DE INVESTIGACION COOPERATIVA EN BIOMATERIALES- CIC biomaGUNE
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE4, ERC-2012-StG_20111012
Summary Certain proteins and glycans self-organize in vivo into soft and strongly hydrated, dynamic and gel-like supramolecular assemblies. Among such biomolecular hydrogels are the jelly-like matrix that is formed around the egg during ovulation, mucosal membranes, slimy coats produced by bacteria in biofilms, and the nuclear pore permeability barrier.
Even though biomolecular hydrogels play crucial roles in many fundamental biological processes, there is still a very limited understanding about how they function. Our goal is to assess and to understand the relation between the organizational and dynamic features of such supramolecular assemblies, their physicochemical properties, and the resulting biological functions. We will investigate these relationships directly on the supramolecular level, a level that - for this type of assemblies - is hardly accessible with conventional approaches.
To this end, we use purpose-designed in vitro model systems that are well-defined in the sense that their composition and supramolecular structure can be controlled and interrogated. These tailor-made models, together with a toolbox of surface-sensitive in situ analysis techniques, permit tightly controlled and quantitative experiments. Combined with polymer physics theory, the experimental data allow us to directly test existing hypotheses and to formulate new hypotheses that can be further tested in complementary molecular and cell-based assays.
This project focuses on two types of biomolecular hydrogels: (i) the nuclear pore permeability barrier, a nanoscopic protein meshwork that regulates all macromolecular transport into and out of the nucleus of eukaryotic cells, and (ii) extracellular hydrogel-like matrices that are scaffolded by the polysaccharide hyaluronan and that are of prime importance in a wide range of physiological and pathological processes including inflammation, fertilization and osteoarthritis.
Summary
Certain proteins and glycans self-organize in vivo into soft and strongly hydrated, dynamic and gel-like supramolecular assemblies. Among such biomolecular hydrogels are the jelly-like matrix that is formed around the egg during ovulation, mucosal membranes, slimy coats produced by bacteria in biofilms, and the nuclear pore permeability barrier.
Even though biomolecular hydrogels play crucial roles in many fundamental biological processes, there is still a very limited understanding about how they function. Our goal is to assess and to understand the relation between the organizational and dynamic features of such supramolecular assemblies, their physicochemical properties, and the resulting biological functions. We will investigate these relationships directly on the supramolecular level, a level that - for this type of assemblies - is hardly accessible with conventional approaches.
To this end, we use purpose-designed in vitro model systems that are well-defined in the sense that their composition and supramolecular structure can be controlled and interrogated. These tailor-made models, together with a toolbox of surface-sensitive in situ analysis techniques, permit tightly controlled and quantitative experiments. Combined with polymer physics theory, the experimental data allow us to directly test existing hypotheses and to formulate new hypotheses that can be further tested in complementary molecular and cell-based assays.
This project focuses on two types of biomolecular hydrogels: (i) the nuclear pore permeability barrier, a nanoscopic protein meshwork that regulates all macromolecular transport into and out of the nucleus of eukaryotic cells, and (ii) extracellular hydrogel-like matrices that are scaffolded by the polysaccharide hyaluronan and that are of prime importance in a wide range of physiological and pathological processes including inflammation, fertilization and osteoarthritis.
Max ERC Funding
1 497 167 €
Duration
Start date: 2012-12-01, End date: 2018-02-28
Project acronym LightNet
Project LightNet - Tracking the Coherent Light Path in Photosynthetic Networks
Researcher (PI) Niek van Hulst
Host Institution (HI) FUNDACIO INSTITUT DE CIENCIES FOTONIQUES
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), PE3, ERC-2014-ADG
Summary ature has developed photosynthesis to power life. Networks of light harvesting antennas capture the sunlight to funnel the photonic energy towards reaction centres. Surprisingly, quantum coherences are observed in the energy transfer of photosynthetic complexes, even at room temperature.
Does nature exploit quantum concepts? Does the coherence help to find an optimal path for robust or efficient transfer? How are the coherences sustained? What is their spatial extent in a real light-harvesting network? So far only solutions of complexes were studied, far from the natural network operation, putting on hold conclusions as to a biological role of the coherences.
My group recently succeeded in the first detection of coherent oscillations of a single photo-synthetic complex at physiological conditions, and non-classical photon emission of individual complexes. These pioneering results, together with our expertise in nanophotonics, pave the way to address photosynthetic networks in real nano-space and on femtosecond timescale. Specific objectives are:
--Ultrafast single protein detection: tracing the fs coherent energy transfer path of an individual complex; addressing the very nature of the persistent coherences.
-Beyond fluorescence: light harvesting complex are designed for light transport, not emission. I will explore innovative alternatives: optical antennas to enhance quantum efficiency; detection of stimulated emission; and electrical read-out on graphene.
-Nanoscale light transport: using local excitation and detection by nanoholes, nanoslits and scanning antenna probes I will spatially map the extent of the inter-complex transfer.
-The network: combining both coherent fs excitation and localized nanoscale excitation/detection I will track the extent of coherences throughout the network.
The impact of this first exploration of light transport in a nanoscale bionetwork ranges to solar energy management, molecular biology, polymer chemistry and material science.
Summary
ature has developed photosynthesis to power life. Networks of light harvesting antennas capture the sunlight to funnel the photonic energy towards reaction centres. Surprisingly, quantum coherences are observed in the energy transfer of photosynthetic complexes, even at room temperature.
Does nature exploit quantum concepts? Does the coherence help to find an optimal path for robust or efficient transfer? How are the coherences sustained? What is their spatial extent in a real light-harvesting network? So far only solutions of complexes were studied, far from the natural network operation, putting on hold conclusions as to a biological role of the coherences.
My group recently succeeded in the first detection of coherent oscillations of a single photo-synthetic complex at physiological conditions, and non-classical photon emission of individual complexes. These pioneering results, together with our expertise in nanophotonics, pave the way to address photosynthetic networks in real nano-space and on femtosecond timescale. Specific objectives are:
--Ultrafast single protein detection: tracing the fs coherent energy transfer path of an individual complex; addressing the very nature of the persistent coherences.
-Beyond fluorescence: light harvesting complex are designed for light transport, not emission. I will explore innovative alternatives: optical antennas to enhance quantum efficiency; detection of stimulated emission; and electrical read-out on graphene.
-Nanoscale light transport: using local excitation and detection by nanoholes, nanoslits and scanning antenna probes I will spatially map the extent of the inter-complex transfer.
-The network: combining both coherent fs excitation and localized nanoscale excitation/detection I will track the extent of coherences throughout the network.
The impact of this first exploration of light transport in a nanoscale bionetwork ranges to solar energy management, molecular biology, polymer chemistry and material science.
Max ERC Funding
2 856 250 €
Duration
Start date: 2016-01-01, End date: 2020-12-31
Project acronym LINKSPM
Project Linking atomic-scale properties of 2D correlated materials with their mesoscopic transport and mechanical response
Researcher (PI) Miguel MORENO UGEDA
Host Institution (HI) FUNDACION DONOSTIA INTERNATIONAL PHYSICS CENTER
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE3, ERC-2017-STG
Summary Fundamental material properties become highly susceptible to external perturbations in low dimensions. This presents tremendous new opportunities for manipulating the behavior of novel 2D layered materials and ultimately achieving unprecedented control over their performance when integrated into highly specific functional devices. However, strategies that enable such control are sorely lacking to date and remain an outstanding challenge for the materials science community. Progress here requires of a comprehensive microscopic picture of the fundamental properties of 2D materials in clear connection to their macroscopic behavior, a knowledge that is still missing due to the lack of experimental techniques that simultaneously probe multiple length regimes.
The main objective of the proposed research is to demonstrate control over the electronic ground states of 2D materials via external strain and electromagnetic fields to build links of applicability for signal processing in electromechanical nanodevices. We will focus on 2D correlated materials exhibiting collective electronic phases such as superconductivity, which respond dramatically to external perturbations. The project aims to understand the interplay between these external stimuli and microscopic electronic phases, and to unambiguously correlate them with mesoscopic electrical transport and mechanical response. This project comprises three research thrusts: (i) Development of new instrumentation that provides a direct way to correlate atomic-scale and mesoscopic properties of materials, and to establish links between (ii) the electrical conductivity and (iii) the mechanical response of 2D correlated materials with their atomic-scale structure and stimulus-dependent electronic phase diagram. This project has the potential to transform this field by providing new pathways to control the behavior of layered nanostructures.
Summary
Fundamental material properties become highly susceptible to external perturbations in low dimensions. This presents tremendous new opportunities for manipulating the behavior of novel 2D layered materials and ultimately achieving unprecedented control over their performance when integrated into highly specific functional devices. However, strategies that enable such control are sorely lacking to date and remain an outstanding challenge for the materials science community. Progress here requires of a comprehensive microscopic picture of the fundamental properties of 2D materials in clear connection to their macroscopic behavior, a knowledge that is still missing due to the lack of experimental techniques that simultaneously probe multiple length regimes.
The main objective of the proposed research is to demonstrate control over the electronic ground states of 2D materials via external strain and electromagnetic fields to build links of applicability for signal processing in electromechanical nanodevices. We will focus on 2D correlated materials exhibiting collective electronic phases such as superconductivity, which respond dramatically to external perturbations. The project aims to understand the interplay between these external stimuli and microscopic electronic phases, and to unambiguously correlate them with mesoscopic electrical transport and mechanical response. This project comprises three research thrusts: (i) Development of new instrumentation that provides a direct way to correlate atomic-scale and mesoscopic properties of materials, and to establish links between (ii) the electrical conductivity and (iii) the mechanical response of 2D correlated materials with their atomic-scale structure and stimulus-dependent electronic phase diagram. This project has the potential to transform this field by providing new pathways to control the behavior of layered nanostructures.
Max ERC Funding
1 734 625 €
Duration
Start date: 2018-10-01, End date: 2023-09-30
Project acronym LIQUIDMASS
Project High throughput mass spectrometry of single proteins in liquid environment
Researcher (PI) Montserrat Calleja Gomez
Host Institution (HI) AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DEINVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS
Call Details Consolidator Grant (CoG), PE4, ERC-2015-CoG
Summary Although mass spectrometry has brought about major advancements in proteomics in the last decade, protein mass spectrometers still have important limitations. One fundamental limitation is that they require sample ionization, desorption into the gas phase and fragmentation, clearly leading to protein denaturation. Since relevant protein complexes are unstable or transient, their characterization in its native state and physiological environment remains an unexplored route towards the full understanding of protein function and protein interactions. This problem has only been targeted to date through theoretical approaches or low throughput experimental techniques, such as atomic force spectroscopy, optical tweezers or FRET. A high throughput characterization technology capable of addressing single proteins in its native state would have a large impact in proteomics. The goal of LIQUIDMASS is to develop a high throughput spectrometric technique addressing single proteins from complex samples while in physiological conditions. LIQUIDMASS also proposes a new concept for protein spectrometry, by characterizing not only the mass, but also the hydrodynamic radius, geometry and stiffness of single proteins. This multiparameter approach will serve to open up new routes to understand protein structure-function relations by providing insight into the fast conformational changes that occur in liquids. In order to attain these goals, I propose to integrate nanomechanical resonators, nano-optics and nanofluidics. The disruptive approach proposed will bring about new knowledge about protein interactions and protein conformation that is elusive today. The enabling technologies aimed at the LIQUIDMASS will increase our understanding of protein misfolding related diseases, such as Alzheimer’s or diabetes, as well as bring closer a full understanding of the human interactome, contributing to the advancement of the proteomics field.
Summary
Although mass spectrometry has brought about major advancements in proteomics in the last decade, protein mass spectrometers still have important limitations. One fundamental limitation is that they require sample ionization, desorption into the gas phase and fragmentation, clearly leading to protein denaturation. Since relevant protein complexes are unstable or transient, their characterization in its native state and physiological environment remains an unexplored route towards the full understanding of protein function and protein interactions. This problem has only been targeted to date through theoretical approaches or low throughput experimental techniques, such as atomic force spectroscopy, optical tweezers or FRET. A high throughput characterization technology capable of addressing single proteins in its native state would have a large impact in proteomics. The goal of LIQUIDMASS is to develop a high throughput spectrometric technique addressing single proteins from complex samples while in physiological conditions. LIQUIDMASS also proposes a new concept for protein spectrometry, by characterizing not only the mass, but also the hydrodynamic radius, geometry and stiffness of single proteins. This multiparameter approach will serve to open up new routes to understand protein structure-function relations by providing insight into the fast conformational changes that occur in liquids. In order to attain these goals, I propose to integrate nanomechanical resonators, nano-optics and nanofluidics. The disruptive approach proposed will bring about new knowledge about protein interactions and protein conformation that is elusive today. The enabling technologies aimed at the LIQUIDMASS will increase our understanding of protein misfolding related diseases, such as Alzheimer’s or diabetes, as well as bring closer a full understanding of the human interactome, contributing to the advancement of the proteomics field.
Max ERC Funding
2 470 283 €
Duration
Start date: 2016-11-01, End date: 2021-10-31
Project acronym Mechan-of-Chromo
Project Unfolding the Mechanism of Chromosome Cohesion and Condensation using Single-Molecule Biophysical Approaches
Researcher (PI) Fernando Moreno-Herrero
Host Institution (HI) AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DEINVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS
Call Details Consolidator Grant (CoG), PE3, ERC-2015-CoG
Summary The global folding of the chromosome is mediated by Structural Maintenance of Chromosome (SMC) proteins, which stabilize the higher-order chromatin architecture by bringing distant DNA sequences together. Despite over a decade of work on these systems, their mechanism remains unknown, largely because of difficulty in re-capitulating physiological DNA binding and condensation in vitro. Moreover, traditional biochemical approaches are poorly suited for the study of processes that are fundamentally mechanical in nature. However, key breakthroughs, including the discovery that SMC is loaded by Spo0J protein at parS sites in vivo, and that parS sites act as global condensation centres for the chromosome have opened new possibilities to study chromosome organisation using single-molecule (SM) approaches. Importantly, our recent experiments with Magnetic Tweezers (MT) have already revealed a novel function of Spo0J in condensing DNA via a parS-independent binding mechanism.
Inspired by these recent discoveries, I have devised a series of novel SM biophysical approaches with the ambitious goal of determining the mechanism of action of SMC complexes, including understanding the role of SMC loaders and SMC accessory subunits, and how these proteins are regulated by ATP binding and hydrolysis for chromosome organisation. The rationale behind this approach is that SM methods are particularly well-suited for monitoring DNA cohesion and condensation where manipulation of individual DNA molecules, measurement of forces, and addition of proteins and buffer solutions can be carefully controlled. High throughput MT will be combined with fast video imaging, optical trapping, and fluorescence; and will be used to interrogate hypothetical models for SMC-DNA interactions. Finally, the novel assays developed here may be applicable to other protein-DNA interactions including variant SMC-like proteins specialized for other biological functions such as DNA repair.
Summary
The global folding of the chromosome is mediated by Structural Maintenance of Chromosome (SMC) proteins, which stabilize the higher-order chromatin architecture by bringing distant DNA sequences together. Despite over a decade of work on these systems, their mechanism remains unknown, largely because of difficulty in re-capitulating physiological DNA binding and condensation in vitro. Moreover, traditional biochemical approaches are poorly suited for the study of processes that are fundamentally mechanical in nature. However, key breakthroughs, including the discovery that SMC is loaded by Spo0J protein at parS sites in vivo, and that parS sites act as global condensation centres for the chromosome have opened new possibilities to study chromosome organisation using single-molecule (SM) approaches. Importantly, our recent experiments with Magnetic Tweezers (MT) have already revealed a novel function of Spo0J in condensing DNA via a parS-independent binding mechanism.
Inspired by these recent discoveries, I have devised a series of novel SM biophysical approaches with the ambitious goal of determining the mechanism of action of SMC complexes, including understanding the role of SMC loaders and SMC accessory subunits, and how these proteins are regulated by ATP binding and hydrolysis for chromosome organisation. The rationale behind this approach is that SM methods are particularly well-suited for monitoring DNA cohesion and condensation where manipulation of individual DNA molecules, measurement of forces, and addition of proteins and buffer solutions can be carefully controlled. High throughput MT will be combined with fast video imaging, optical trapping, and fluorescence; and will be used to interrogate hypothetical models for SMC-DNA interactions. Finally, the novel assays developed here may be applicable to other protein-DNA interactions including variant SMC-like proteins specialized for other biological functions such as DNA repair.
Max ERC Funding
1 894 999 €
Duration
Start date: 2016-06-01, End date: 2021-05-31
Project acronym METBIOCAT
Project Metal catalysis in biological habitats: New strategies for optical bio-sensing and targeted therapy
Researcher (PI) Jose Luis Mascareñas Cid
Host Institution (HI) UNIVERSIDAD DE SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), PE5, ERC-2013-ADG
Summary This proposal aims at the discovery of robust transition-metal catalyzed transformations that can take place in aqueous media and cellular lysates, and are susceptible of being exported to living cells. Specifically, we will exploit the special coordination and activation ability of different metal complexes towards pi-systems to induce chemo-selective reactions of designed, abiotic, unsaturated substrates. Moreover, and importantly, the metal catalysts will be conjugated to designed ligands or biopolymers so that the catalytic power of the metal complex can be transferred to specific “in vivo” locations. Initial designs in this latter “high risk” endeavor will be guided by the current knowledge on metal-catalyzed bio-orthogonal chemistry as well as by some precedents on catalysis-based metal-sensing tactics.
Ultimately, we want to install catalytic power in specific cellular sites and/or endow catalytic properties to any selected bio-molecular target. The catalytic activity could then be used to trigger the amplified generation of fluorescent signals or boost the production of bioactive drugs from inert, non-toxic precursors. This will set the basis for the development of efficient bio-sensing and imaging tools, and “in cellulo” diagnosis tactics, and of novel target-directed therapeutic strategies. With the crescent identification of disease-related biomarkers, the development of biomarker-associated diagnosis and therapy protocols is becoming one of the more urgent challenges in modern life sciences. Advances in early diagnosis can have a profound impact in public health, and boost new technology developments.
The transversal expertise of my group in synthesis, metal catalysis, molecular recognition and chemical biology (see PI profile) places us in a rather unique position to tackle this type of interdisciplinary project.
Summary
This proposal aims at the discovery of robust transition-metal catalyzed transformations that can take place in aqueous media and cellular lysates, and are susceptible of being exported to living cells. Specifically, we will exploit the special coordination and activation ability of different metal complexes towards pi-systems to induce chemo-selective reactions of designed, abiotic, unsaturated substrates. Moreover, and importantly, the metal catalysts will be conjugated to designed ligands or biopolymers so that the catalytic power of the metal complex can be transferred to specific “in vivo” locations. Initial designs in this latter “high risk” endeavor will be guided by the current knowledge on metal-catalyzed bio-orthogonal chemistry as well as by some precedents on catalysis-based metal-sensing tactics.
Ultimately, we want to install catalytic power in specific cellular sites and/or endow catalytic properties to any selected bio-molecular target. The catalytic activity could then be used to trigger the amplified generation of fluorescent signals or boost the production of bioactive drugs from inert, non-toxic precursors. This will set the basis for the development of efficient bio-sensing and imaging tools, and “in cellulo” diagnosis tactics, and of novel target-directed therapeutic strategies. With the crescent identification of disease-related biomarkers, the development of biomarker-associated diagnosis and therapy protocols is becoming one of the more urgent challenges in modern life sciences. Advances in early diagnosis can have a profound impact in public health, and boost new technology developments.
The transversal expertise of my group in synthesis, metal catalysis, molecular recognition and chemical biology (see PI profile) places us in a rather unique position to tackle this type of interdisciplinary project.
Max ERC Funding
2 356 276 €
Duration
Start date: 2014-02-01, End date: 2020-01-31
