UC researcher wins 1.9 million European grant to discover the structural dynamics of molecular motors

Sérgio Domingos, a scientist from the University of Coimbra (UC), has just won a "Starting Grant", worth 1.9 million euros, awarded by the European Research Council (ERC).

This grant will allow the development of an innovative experimental strategy over the next five years, "to unveil the three-dimensional shapes of some key molecules in the field of molecular nanotechnology, and understand their operating mechanics", says the researcher from the Department of Physics of the Faculty of Sciences and Technology of the University of Coimbra (FCTUC).

Basically, the project awarded by the European Research Council, entitled "MiCRoARTiS - Microwave Fingerprinting Artificial Molecular Motors in Virtual Isolation", aims to discover "the secrets of the structural mechanics of molecular motors "built" by humans, in order to make them increasingly functional, as well as to develop the microwave spectroscopy technique beyond the state of the art, making it increasingly useful in this and other areas of knowledge, such as in the identification of molecules in distant parts of the universe (Molecular Astrophysics), or in the study of interactions between drugs and molecular receptors of the human body (Medicinal Chemistry)", highlights Sérgio Domingos.

To achieve this, and thanks to the funding obtained, the University of Coimbra will create a high-performance microwave spectroscopy laboratory", a unique infrastructure in Portugal", explains the researcher.

Domingos also says that "it's an incredible feeling to be selected in such a competitive science programme and to have the opportunity to develop this project at my home, the University of Coimbra".

The European Research Council (ERC) was established by the European Union (EU) in 2007 to fund outstanding scientists. The ERC Starting Grants are aimed at early-stage researchers, enabling them to form teams and develop projects in different scientific fields.