Abstract
Light interaction with biomaterials is the driving mechanism of fundamental biological processes, from photosynthesis to DNA photodamage, and is a powerful tool in biomedicine for analytical, diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. The main goal of LightDyNAmics is to achieve a complete understanding of the ultrafast dynamical processes at the molecular scale induced by UV light absorption in DNA, and to unveil the mechanisms leading to photodamage of the genetic code. At the same time, our project will transfer this knowledge on light-matter interaction to a broad class of optoelectronic materials, highly relevant for Europe`s high-tech industries. LightDyNAmics is an academia-industry research environment training 15 Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) by crossing the traditional border between theoretical and experimental expertise. This will be achieved by performing independent, yet interrelated and complementary research projects focussed on photoactivated dynamics of DNA, and by developing a variety of new spectroscopic and computational methods. For all the ESRs, personalised training in advanced techniques will be combined with a broad common interdisciplinary background on dynamical processes in bio-macromolecules. The consortium brings together 10 leading academic groups with multidisciplinary expertise (chemistry, physics, biology) and a unique blend of experimental and computational skills. 6 innovative companies, from SMEs specialised in click-chemistry and in biosensors to a pharma industry, will be fully integrated in the research and training programme and help promote technological exploitation of its results. LightDyNAmics will develop innovative molecular probes for DNA/protein interaction, paving the way to new diagnostic tools and new drugs. The understanding of light interaction with organic molecules will impact on basic sciences, from biochemistry to nanosciences, and on industrial applications ranging from healthcare to photonic technologies.
Project details
Unibo Team Leader: Marco Garavelli
Unibo involved Department/s:
Dipartimento di Chimica Industriale "Toso Montanari"
Coordinator:
Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche(Italy)
Other Participants:
ALMA MATER STUDIORUM - Università di Bologna
(Italy)
Kemijski Institut
(Slovenia)
C.N.R.S. Delegation Centre-Est
(France)
Politecnico di MILANO
(Italy)
University College Dublin, National University Of Ireland
(Ireland)
Universität Wien
(Austria)
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat Munchen (Lmu)
(Germany)
Astrazeneca Uk Limited
(United Kingdom)
Baseclick Gmbh
(Germany)
Dynamic Biosensors GmbH
(Germany)
University Of Durham
(United Kingdom)
Masarykova Univerzita
(Czech Republic)
Total Eu Contribution: Euro (EUR) 3.827.591,28
Project Duration in months: 48
Start Date:
01/04/2018
End Date:
31/03/2022
This project contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 765266