MetaExplore

MetaExplore is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network set up to provide young researchers with hands-on research experience and formal training in directed evolution, protein engineering, bioinformatics, chemical biology and mechanistic enzymology.

Research

The combination of sequence-based and functional metagenomics is extraordinarily powerful and our training programme bridges the classical divide between them. The MetaExplore network will harness the diversity of nature and the power of machine learning and AI:

(i) On the experimental side: screening large and diverse metagenomic DNA libraries (environmental DNA from polar regions, hot environments, soil, marine & fresh-water and gut libraries) will be carried out using ultrahigh-throughput technologies will lead to the discovery novel proteins with useful functions 

(ii) On the computational side: unprecedented availability of sequence data (e.g. >3 billion ORFs in the database MGnify) and machine learning will provide systematic insights via in silico sequence interpretation.  The MetaExplore network will harnessing the diversity of nature and the power of machine learning and AI:

(iii) Together the experimental and in silico projects will provide a better fundamental understanding of how existing enzymes evolved and how enzyme mechanisms can be manipulated by protein engineering.

(iv) Applications:  We explore the use the enzymes identified as outlined above for green technology applications of biocatalysis (microplastics degradation, glycobiology or fine chemical synthesis) and in healthcare (bacteriocidal reagents or therapeutic enzymes).  Industrial partners will help to generate practical impact in biotechnology. 

This Doctoral Network brings together twelve leading academic and industrial groups with diverse and complementary skills. The range of methodologies represented in MetaExplore allows an integrated approach combining in silico structural and sequence analysis with experimental high-throughput screening and selection methods (droplet microfluidics and lab-on-a-chip technologies, robotic liquid handling, phage display) with subsequent systematic kinetic and biophysical analysis.

The unified efforts of leading stakeholders in the field of metagenomics from across Europe will provide a uniquely powerful multidisciplinary training environment to train the next generation of creative researchers and facilitate the uptake of new technologies into applied research through the exploration and sustainable exploitation of biodiversity.

Training

MetaExplore  is designed to educate young researchers in an interdisciplinary environment based on a training programme in which methods and disciplines to improve predictability of metagenomic screening, directed evolution campaigns, to shorten biocatalyst development times, and to make protein engineering applicable to a wider range of industrial targets are integrated. We also address dissemination of the vision, activities and results of the MetaExplore network to the general public, hopefully improving public awareness. 

Technology Transfer

Research and training in this area strongly interface basic research with industrial applications. Preparation for such translational activities is part of the training programme that encompasses course on entrepreneurship, IP protection or economic challenges in applied biotechnology.  The incorporation of nine industrial partners ensures a continuous reality test of our research training. Opportunities to engage in collaborative projects with industrial partners are offered to all young researchers.

The research leading to the results in these web pages has received €4.6 millions of funding from the Horizon Europe Programme (Marie Curie Actions) of the European Union under grant agreement n° 101226425. This material reflects only the author’s views and the Union is not liable for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.