CLIMB · Complex lipid membranes for science and technology

“CLIMB-Complex lipid membranes for science and technology” is a doctoral network of leading European lipid-research laboratories with highly complementary research expertise and training capabilities, which will allow participating PhD students to develop a wide range of research and transferable skills attractive to employers in both academic and industrial sectors.The research themes focus on the hypothesis that comprehensive understanding of the role of compositional complexity on “yet to be explored” structural properties and membrane-driven interactions is key to developing complex lipid-based nanomaterials that mimic the cellular environment and function as high-performance sustainable materials.A central aspect of the CLIMB programme is the development and physicochemical characterization of structure and stability of aggregates formed by novel lipid mixtures including natural extracts and novel protective polymer/peptoid-based coatings. Scientific results will be made available to non-academic partners to assess its possible translation into applications in the fields of mRNA delivery, bio-sensor development, and “green” formulations, areas in line with some of the grand challenges identified by EU.These objectives will be achieved by combining advanced and complementary experimental approaches from chemistry, physics, biology, and computational sciences. Through close collaboration with a network of both small and large industrial partners, the trainees will receive direct hands-on experience, and will gain insights into how lipid-based materials are used in innovative applications.In summary, CLIMB aims to advance the current knowledge on the interplay between structure, functions, interaction, and compositional complexity in lipid membrane. The generated results will contribute to important knowledge transfer between academia and the companies involved, promoting and increasing the success rate for innovations of grand societal challenges.