Biocomposite reactor for light-driven energy conversion
Public support
Provider
Czech Science Foundation
Programme
Standard projects
Call for proposals
SGA0202600001
Main participants
Univerzita Karlova / Matematicko-fyzikální fakulta
Contest type
VS - Public tender
Contract ID
26-22037S
Alternative language
Project name in Czech
Biocomposite reactor for light-driven energy conversion
Annotation in Czech
Clean technologies based on the use of solar energy can replace fossil fuels and help to mitigate climate changes. The aim of this project is to engineer a nanoscale biomimetic enzymatic reactor that will reduce carbon dioxide into simple chemical feedstocks, such as methanol, using solar energy. The project plans to couple photosynthetic systems with redox enzymes inside a nanocontainer based on a virus capsid. The nanoreactor will confine redox components for efficient, light-driven electron transfer and facilitate substrate channelling between the encapsulated redox enzymes. An accessory light-harvesting complex will be engineered and added to improve turnover. The proposal builds on previous project which resulted in successful encapsulation of photosystem together with redox components. It relies on complementary expertise and track record of the applicants’ groups at Charles University (spectro-electrochemistry and optical spectroscopy, light-harvesting systems) and University of South Bohemia (biochemistry, protein engineering, reaction centres), respectively.
Scientific branches
R&D category
ZV - Basic research
OECD FORD - main branch
10608 - Biochemistry and molecular biology
OECD FORD - secondary branch
20902 - Bioprocessing technologies (industrial processes relying on biological agents to drive the process) biocatalysis, fermentation
OECD FORD - another secondary branch
20903 - Bioproducts (products that are manufactured using biological material as feedstock) biomaterials, bioplastics, biofuels, bioderived bulk and fine chemicals, bio-derived novel materials
CEP - equivalent branches <br>(according to the <a href="http://www.vyzkum.cz/storage/att/E6EF7938F0E854BAE520AC119FB22E8D/Prevodnik_oboru_Frascati.pdf">converter</a>)
CE - Biochemistry<br>EB - Genetics and molecular biology<br>EI - Biotechnology and bionics
Solution timeline
Realization period - beginning
Jan 1, 2026
Realization period - end
Dec 31, 2028
Project status
Z - Beginning multi-year project
Latest support payment
—
Data delivery to CEP
Confidentiality
S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů
Data delivery code
CEP26-GA0-GA-R
Data delivery date
May 19, 2026
Finance
Total approved costs
14,019 thou. CZK
Public financial support
13,905 thou. CZK
Other public sources
114 thou. CZK
Non public and foreign sources
0 thou. CZK