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H2020Doctoral network2020–2024

ArtMoMa · Artificial Molecular Machines

Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2020-03-01 → 2024-02-29
EU contribution
€4,146,516
Participants
8
Scheme
MSCA-ITN

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.

Results in brief

Artificial Molecular Machines

Although complex biological machineries already exist in nature and are central to key cellular functions (such as replication, ATP (adenosine triphosphate) synthesis, transport, and motion), the recent progress made in the field of artificial molecular machines only represents the initial fundamental stages of what could result from the miniaturization of machines. It is expected that such machines could be at the foundation of groundbreaking application in nanomedicine, nanorobotics, and smart materials. Before reaching such a societal impact, specific science should be developed and a number of challenges needs to be overcome in the understanding, implementation and application of molecular machines. Those challenges structured our endeavors in the ArtMoMa network. Overall, during the ArtMoMa project, we have achieved a number of our initial objectives and reached new heights in the emerging field of artificial molecular machines, pushing its boundaries beyond the state-of-the-art. These findings are currently published in best international reviews and discussed in top level conferences. We have trained, often through collaborative works, a new generation of visionary researchers capable of conducting high risk, high gain research. We have engaged with leading companies in real-life applications of molecular machines and paved the way for the design of entirely new products and materials. ArtMoMa was the first action to structure this field of research at such level, and it is recognized among our peers as a remarkable initiative of excellence, and as a landmark for the future of this research domain.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

Artificial molecular machines have the potential to revolutionise medical treatment, material design, and energy conversion for the benefit of the European and global community. Key fundamental aspects have been studied and the findings were awarded with the 2016 Nobel Prize for Chemistry. Now it is time to guide the research further towards game-changing implementations that utilise artificial movement of molecules and orchestrate them in large systems. Therefore, we propose the ITN project ArtMoMa, which aims a) to push the current scientific boundaries further and to explore entirely new directions of fundamental research towards technologically relevant implementations; and b) to educate and mentor 15 curious and highly capable ESRs to form a critical mass of fully skilled young professionals acting as multipliers to develop technologies across Europe. The network is built on synergies and complementarities between leading scientists (with for instance the involvement of 4 Nobel Prize Laureates), world-class institutions, different disciplines, and the incorporation of several industries as drivers – ranging from start-ups to SMEs to global players – from all over Europe. In the medium- to long-term, we have the joint vision to create new and sustainable education structures with strong involvement from key stakeholders and including industry. This will build a continuous stream of leading European scientists who will create further knowledge and innovations in the future, ranging from processes to products to services and resulting in economic growth and leadership in this field.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

  • CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS · ParisCoordinatorFrance
  • CONSIGLIO NAZIONALE DELLE RICERCHE · RomaItaly
  • RIJKSUNIVERSITEIT GRONINGEN · GroningenNetherlands
  • SOPREMA · STRASBOURGFrance
  • TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET DRESDEN · DresdenGermany
  • THE CHANCELLOR, MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD · OxfordUnited Kingdom
  • THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER · ManchesterUnited Kingdom
  • UNIVERSITE DE STRASBOURG · StrasbourgFrance

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union