What is Molecular-scale biophysics?

Molecular-scale biophysics addresses essential questions on how active biomolecular assemblies form and function. These include insights into their architecture, folding, stability and dynamics, as well as into the energy and kinetics of their interactions, both at ensemble and single-event levels.

Molecular-scale biophysics sits at the crossroads of several areas of expertise and thus holds a strategic position, critical to cellular, molecular and structural biology, as well as to biomedicine, bio-production and biotechnology. Molecular-scale biophysics approaches play a key role in describing the real-time dynamics of molecular structures and biological systems as well as their interactions with other biomolecules, macromolecular complexes and cellular components.

Recent years have witnessed a remarkable expansion of the versatility of molecular-scale biophysics technologies, including hydrodynamic approaches, spectroscopies, calorimetry, fast and ultra-fast real-time bio-sensing, native mass spectrometry, and single-molecule approaches such as atomic force microscopy and optical/magnetic tweezers. The potential of this impressive arsenal of methodologies to tackle challenges in biological, medical and One Health research is not fully exploited at present.

What does MOSBRI do?

MOSBRI aims to address the pressing need for a truly integrated and multi-methodological taskforce, combining the best up-to-date instrumentation and the best expertise available in Europe, to the benefit of all researchers in the fields of biomedicine, biotechnology, biomaterials and beyond, from both academia and industry (notably SMEs).

MOSBRI networks 2 industrial partners and 13 academic centres of excellence from 11 different countries, each having unique and complementary expertise, and all currently offering biophysics services within schemes based on institutional policies. MOSBRI provides access to a truly integrated panel of methodological tools and associated expertise, enabling breakthrough scientific discoveries concerning the molecular basis of biological processes and the development of novel therapeutic and prophylactic treatments. In addition, continuous improvement of laboratory practices and cross-fertilization between centres will be attained through exchange of staff, joint research activities and multi-laboratory benchmarking actions.

What does MOSBRI offer?

• Free of charge on-site and remote Transnational Access (TNA) to a range of biophysical instruments, methodologies and the expertise of its staff at our partner sites, called TNA sites.
• Integrated access to a synergistic set of biophysical instruments and technologies called pipelines. This will allow the users to fully exploit the overarching expertise of the TNA sites to tackle advanced questions.
• Funded basic and advanced training schools aimed at raising a new generation of researchers, engineers and technicians from both academia and industry.
• The opportunity for networking and presenting your research in the field of biophysics during the four international conferences organised by the project.

Find the complete range of opportunities offered by MOSBRI, including specific services and techniques, pipelines, training courses and international conferences on our website https://www.mosbri.eu/

How to apply?

Researchers worldwide from academia and the industry can apply by submitting a scientific proposal that will be reviewed and evaluated by a panel of experts.

You can find more information about eligibility conditions, financial support, and application details for MOSBRI TNA by clicking here or by contacting our TNA manager at [email protected]. To stay updated you can also follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

MOSBRI has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101004806.

Top image by MOSBRI