CiQUS advances Industry partnerships through three Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

16/01/2025

The Center for Research in Biological Chemistry and Molecular Materials (CiQUS) is further strengthening its international profile. The launch of three new projects under the European Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) program marks a significant boost to its global projection, participating in consortia that include top-tier institutions and prominent industrial partners. With this, CiQUS reaffirms its commitment to science aimed at addressing global challenges through intersectoral collaboration, while enhancing the competitiveness of European industry.

The new projects are part of two key MSCA initiatives: Doctoral Networks (DN), which promote researcher training through academic and industrial collaborations, and the Staff Exchanges (SE) program, which fosters researcher mobility and knowledge transfer between institutions and businesses. Below are the details of these projects, addressing critical topics across various scientific fields:

CATALOOP (MSCA-DN)
Led by Chemnitz University of Technology (Germany), the CATALOOP project focuses on developing new asymmetric catalytic reactions using advanced computational data analysis techniques for catalyst discovery. This Doctoral Network brings together eight universities and eleven industrial partners, including companies such as Merck Electronics, BASF, and Janssen. CiQUS researcher Martín Fañanás will contribute to this initiative, which aims to provide new tools for faster and more efficient stereoselective catalysis. The project is set to begin in March.

ComeInCell (MSCA-DN)Also at the forefront of scientific innovation, the ComeInCell project, coordinated by the Max Planck Institute, investigates the interaction between membranes and biomolecular condensates to create synthetic cell models. This consortium unites 13 institutions across nine countries, alongside companies like Dewpoint Therapeutics and MD-USE (a CiQUS spin-off). Under the leadership of CiQUS researcher Javier Montenegro, the center will contribute to training a new generation of scientists specializing in biotechnology and biomedicine, with applications ranging from therapeutic development to advancing sustainable processes in materials science.

SAFERCOAT (MSCA-SE)
Coordinated by the University of Aveiro (Portugal), SAFERCOAT focuses on developing biodegradable polymer coatings for applications in maritime, aerospace, and cultural sectors. Targeted at senior researchers and doctoral candidates, the project brings together five universities and four companies from seven countries. In this Staff Exchange initiative, CiQUS researcher Massimo Lazzari will play a key role in combining advanced research with international mobility to reduce the environmental impact of polymers by transforming waste into high-value-added products.

European Commission - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions.