Engineering Naturally Occurring Multi-Heme Cytochrome Nanowires into Self-Assembled Nanogels
NINDS - National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
About This Grant
Abstract The development of advanced biomaterials capable of electrical signal transmission is vital for regenerative medicine and bioelectronics, with injectable conductive nanogels showing significant promise. While naturally occurring, biocompatible extracellular conductive nanowires (ECNs) from anaerobic bacteria, such as the multi- heme cytochrome proteins, offer a compelling solution to the limitations of synthetic materials (e.g., solubility and biocompatibility), their widespread application is currently limited by challenges in their rational engineering and efficient production. Specifically, the recently discovered ECN protein family has not yet been integrated into recent novel AI protein design tools, and their complex in vivo assembly mechanisms remain poorly understood. This proposal will bridge these gaps by first identifying and engineering OmcE cytochrome nanowires that form large, ordered bundles. This involves comprehensive large-scale genomic and AlphaFold3-guided virtual screens to pinpoint novel OmcE homologs, followed by high-resolution cryo-EM characterization to elucidate their structural details and bulk conductivity measurements to confirm electrical properties. Subsequently, state- of-the-art AI tools will be employed to engineer novel OmcE variants exhibiting robust self-assembly into advanced conductive nanogels. Simultaneously, another major objective is to visualize the OmcE secretion system in situ to unravel its intricate assembly mechanism. We hypothesize that these nanowires assemble via a large outer membrane porin, analogous to the chaperone-usher pathway. Sub-tomogram averaging will be utilized to reconstruct the porin's structure at sub-nanometer resolution, providing critical molecular blueprints for the rational design of OmcE variants with enhanced self-assembly properties and enabling their efficient recombinant overexpression. Ultimately, this work will facilitate the precise engineering of "super" OmcE nanowires for conductive nanogels, offering transformative insights into their biosynthesis and establishing a foundation for a new generation of protein-based bioelectronic materials.
Grant Summary
Engineering Naturally Occurring Multi-Heme Cytochrome Nanowires into Self-Assembled Nanogels is a NINDS - National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke grant providing up to $44K for university, nonprofit, healthcare org. Applications are due 2029-04-30 (open). Check eligibility and apply with FindGrants.
Focus Areas
Eligibility
How to Apply
Up to $44K
2029-04-30
- 1Confirm your organization is eligible for Engineering Naturally Occurring Multi-Heme Cytochrome Nanowires into Self-Assembled Nanogels from NINDS - National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, checking organization type, location, and any population or project requirements.
- 2Gather the required documents and information, including your organization details, project plan, and budget figures.
- 3Draft your application narrative and budget addressing the funder's priorities and review criteria. FindGrants can draft each section for you to review and edit.
- 4Review every section against the requirements checklist, then export a submission-ready application pack and submit it to NINDS - National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke before the deadline.
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Engineering Naturally Occurring Multi-Heme Cytochrome Nanowires into Self-Assembled Nanogels: Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the Engineering Naturally Occurring Multi-Heme Cytochrome Nanowires into Self-Assembled Nanogels?
Engineering Naturally Occurring Multi-Heme Cytochrome Nanowires into Self-Assembled Nanogels is offered by NINDS - National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and is generally open to university, nonprofit, healthcare org. It is open to organizations nationwide unless the funder specifies otherwise. Review the specific eligibility terms before applying, since funders set their own requirements around organization type, location, and the population or project being served.
How much funding does the Engineering Naturally Occurring Multi-Heme Cytochrome Nanowires into Self-Assembled Nanogels provide?
Engineering Naturally Occurring Multi-Heme Cytochrome Nanowires into Self-Assembled Nanogels provides up to $44K per award from NINDS - National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Actual award sizes depend on the scope of your project, available program funds, and the number of applicants, so build a budget that reflects realistic, allowable costs rather than the maximum figure.
When is the Engineering Naturally Occurring Multi-Heme Cytochrome Nanowires into Self-Assembled Nanogels deadline?
Applications for Engineering Naturally Occurring Multi-Heme Cytochrome Nanowires into Self-Assembled Nanogels are due 2029-04-30 (open). Because deadlines can change, verify the date with the funder, NINDS - National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, and give yourself enough time to prepare a complete, competitive application before the close date.
How do you apply for the Engineering Naturally Occurring Multi-Heme Cytochrome Nanowires into Self-Assembled Nanogels?
To apply for Engineering Naturally Occurring Multi-Heme Cytochrome Nanowires into Self-Assembled Nanogels, confirm your eligibility, gather the required documents, and prepare a narrative and budget that address the funder's priorities. FindGrants guides you step by step and can draft each section, then exports a submission-ready application pack for this grant from NINDS - National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.