Projet MetaExplore (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Doctoral Networks
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

The objective of MetaExplore is to provide research training for young researchers in novel experimental as well as computational methods to fully exploit the immense biotechnological potential of metagenomic sequence space, with innovative approaches on both fronts. On the experimental side, successful screening of large metagenomic libraries requires ultrahigh-throughput technologies, because low hit rates can frustrate conventional experimental formats. Here microfluidic droplet screening (allowing >10e8 picolitre assays per day, at kHz rates) is used in various formats to derive fundamental insight and achieve valorisation, along with label-free mass-spectrometric screens and liquid handling robots. On the in silico side, unprecedented availability of sequence data (e.g. more than 3 billion ORFs in the database MGnify) and machine learning will provide systematic insights based in sequence interpretation. The combination of sequence-based and functional metagenomics is extraordinarily powerful and our training programme bridges the classical divide between them. These skill sets, together with environmental DNA resources (from polar regions, hot environments, soil, marine & fresh-water and gut libraries) support campaigns to identify useful protein reagents, for green technology applications (e. g. for microplastics degradation, glycobiology or fine chemical synthesis), and healthcare (e.g. as bacteriocidal reagents or therapeutic enzymes). 11 leading academic groups and 2 industrial partners will work together in MetaExplore (and 9 companies and universities as associated partners and advisors). The unified efforts of leading stakeholders in the field of metagenomics from Europe will provide a uniquely powerful multidisciplinary training environment with critical mass to facilitate the uptake of new technologies into applied research, exposing young researchers to typical intersectorial challenges in the exploration and sustainable exploitation of biodiversity.

Mots clés : functional metagenomics, biocatalysis, novel enzymes, sustainable catalytic solutions for biotechnology, antimicrobials, therapeutic proteins, proteases, hydrolases, bioinformatics

Participants :
- University College de Londres (Royaume-Uni) — Partner, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 348738.12 €
- UK Research and Innovation (Royaume-Uni) — Partner, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 348738.12 €
- Université de Szeged (Hongrie) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- Drop-tech ltd (Royaume-Uni) — Partner, associated partner, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 0.0 €
- Université norvégienne de sciences et de technologie (Norvège) — Partner, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 339932.16 €
- ArcticZymes (Norway) (Norvège) — Partner, associated partner, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 0.0 €
- Université d'Alicante (Espagne) — Partner, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 282188.16 €
- Prozomix (United Kingdom) (Royaume-Uni) — Partner, associated partner, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 0.0 €
- Laboratoire européen de biologie moléculaire (Allemagne) — Partner, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 580544.64 €
- Seqomics biotechnologia korlatolt felelossegu tarsasag (Hongrie) — Partner, associated partner, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 0.0 €
- Evoralis ltd (Royaume-Uni) — Partner, associated partner, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 0.0 €
- AstraZeneca (United Kingdom) (Royaume-Uni) — Partner, beneficiary, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 348738.12 €
- Université autonome de Madrid (Espagne) — Partner, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 564376.32 €
- Centre de recherche de Biologie de Szeged (Hongrie) — Partner, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 509808.24 €
- Syngens as (Norvège) — Partner, associated partner, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 0.0 €
- Cambridge entreprise limited (Royaume-Uni) — Partner, associated partner, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 0.0 €
- Université Eberhard Karl de Tübingen (Allemagne) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- Labaqua sa (Espagne) — Partner, associated partner, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 0.0 €
- Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (Belgique) — Partner, associated partner, Recherche, subvention : 0.0 €
- Fondation pour la recherche scientifique et industrielle (Norvège) — Partner, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 339932.16 €
- Université de Cambridge (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 348738.12 €
- Janssen (Belgium) (Belgique) — Partner, beneficiary, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 288540.0 €
- Institut national des sciences appliquées de Toulouse (France) — Partner, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 314669.16 €