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H2020COFUND2019–2024

MemTrain · Cell Membrane Training to Advance Industrial Processes

Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2019-05-01 → 2024-04-30
EU contribution
€976,320
Participants
1
Scheme
MSCA-COFUND

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Results in brief

Cell Membrane Training to Advance Industrial Processes

The aim of MemTrain was to train a cohort of Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) to work in the growing field of cell membrane research. Cell membranes surround all cells and are responsible for defining life and separating it from the external environment. As such, they play fundamental roles in a host of biological processes from drug discovery to industrial biotechnology. Traditionally, research in the area of cell membranes has been extremely challenging, partially due to technical limitations which are being overcome; this is an area in which Aston are international experts. Due to the challenging nature of this research, there are a lack of experts in this field compared to its future importance and size. Furthermore, to maximise the benefit of this research, it is important the scientists work at the interface of academia and industry. This allows fundamental research to be applied but, importantly, develops future researchers with the confidence and ability to work across traditional boundaries which will put Europe at the forefront of this research area. Consequently, each ESR on the MemTrain programme had a project developed in conjunction with an industrial partner to maximise the real-world benefit. The overall objectives of the MemTrain project were to: • Train the next generation of intersectoral, internationally-focussed researchers. • Build a community of membrane-focussed scientists • Enhance the potential and future career prospects of researchers; strengthening human resources on regional, national or international level • Upon graduation, put the ESRs in a position to continue their research career within either academia or industry • Develop management, leadership, communication and outreach skills • Developing long-term research networks

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

All organisms, from bacteria to humans are made of cells surrounded by membranes, which define them, separating them from their environment. Membranes precisely control what enters and leaves cells and how cells interact with each other and molecules in their environment. All these processes are fundamental to life; by harnessing and understanding them, we have the potential to influence human and animal health and disease, and generate improved microorganisms for biotechnological applications in the food, chemical and drug sectors. The membrane has traditionally proven relatively intractable to study, mainly due to its hydrophobic nature. However, recent technological and methodological advances, with key inputs by Aston University, have enabled this field to progress rapidly. There is now an urgent need for increased research training in this area. There is established and emerging evidence for the involvement of the membrane in a wide variety of industrially-relevant processes, encompassed by MemTrain’s three core themes of medicines discovery, biotechnology and underpinning technology development. MemTrain is a five-year multidisciplinary, intersectoral PhD training programme for 12 PhD researchers. This programme will train the next generation of researchers who are primed to work on developing a new understanding of how to harness the full potential of cell membranes by working the interface of industrial and academic science. To work across these traditional boundaries, researchers will require a diverse skillset enabling them not only to undertake fundamental research but to apply this knowledge to current real-world problems underpinned by excellent communication and transferable skills. Innovative, collaborative training programmes within MemTrain will equip these research leaders with these vital skills, allowing them to drive the future of intersectoral research across Europe and the world.

Original text from CORDIS.

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Data: CORDIS, © European Union