In the proposed project “Spin-Orbit Coupling at Interfaces from Spintronics to new Superconducting effects” (SOCISS) the experienced researcher Dr. Juan Borge and the scientist in charge Prof. Angel Rubio, Head of the Nano-Bio Spectroscopy (NBS) group at the university of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), aim at stablish a complete description of interfacial spin-orbit coupling. This understanding will allow us to describe many transport, both electrical and spin, phenomena, and to include the effect of this interaction in normal and superconducting alloys. This study will be done following two different approaches; a theoretical description using effective kinetic equations, and through simulations performed with a computational platform combining recent theoretical developments in density functional theory and many body physics.SOCISS responds to two different purposes, the implementation of its results into the realization of new devices, and contribute to a deeper understanding on the fundamental relations in quantum mechanics. On one hand interfacial spin-orbit coupling looks one of the best alternatives to heavy atoms in the research of new materials with high values of the spin Hall and Edelstein conductivities. On the other hand SOCISS provides the perfect opportunity to gain some insight into the relation between the spin and the charge of the electron in equilibrium and non-equilibrium situations. The skills the researcher will acquire in computational methods and superconductivity will be essential in order to advance its career as an independent investigator.

The impact of plant pests on global crop yields is a significant concern, leading to an annual decrease of more than 30% in crop production. The whitefly alone incurs losses exceeding $300 million each year, primarily due to its role in transmitting harmful plant viruses like the Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl virus (TYLCV), which poses a substantial threat to tomato crops worldwide. The use of conventional pesticides raises environmental alarms, negatively affects beneficial insects, and contributes to pest resistance. Initiatives like the European Green Deal aim to promote sustainable agriculture by reducing chemical pesticide usage by 50% by 2030. Spray-induced genetic silencing (SIGS), harnessing the RNA interference (RNAi) mechanism, has emerged as a promising alternative to conventional pesticides. This non-GMO approach offers a sustainable and pathogen-specific protection method by silencing key genes in target pests through the foliar application of dsRNA molecules. However, certain challenges remain unresolved, including the cost-effective production of dsRNA, the ability to control multiple species simultaneously, and dsRNA stability and transport in crop environments. This project seeks to overcome these challenges by implementing innovative, safe, and cost-effective approaches. Firstly, we will synthesize dsRNA containing regions from both whitefly and TYLCV through microbial fermentation and apply a simple purification method to achieve high-efficiency hybrid dsRNA isolation. Secondly, we will design new biomass-based formulations using nanopolyplexes as carriers to efficiently protect and deliver the dsRNA. Thus, we will develop advanced biocontrol strategies for dual protection against both the insect vector and its host virus in tomato. Through the integration of polymer science, nanotechnology, and biotechnology approaches, our efforts aim to advance dsRNA-based biopesticide technology and facilitate its lab-to-field transition.

The photocatalytic conversion of CO2 into valuable chemicals such as CO is a promising solution to mitigate both the health and environmental impact from green house gases. The photocatalytic field faces several challenges towards their industrial deployment under competitive scale. Several knowledge gaps exist in the design and understanding of photo-active materials mimicking the organic reactions catalysed by nature. The training tasks in PHOCAT, under the supervision of Prof. Arias (Host, EHU, Spain) and a 4-month secondment period with Prof. Ravelli (UNIP, Italy) will provide the researcher with new skills in chemical reaction engineering, material science and operando spectroscopy. PHOCAT will explore new chemical engineering concepts, related to photocatalyst design, catalysis, spectroscopy and engineering in order to enhance CO productivity from CO2 and H2O reactants. Specifically, PHOCAT will tailor the electronic and redox features in C3N4 materials, tested under unprecedented capillary solvation methods and operando synchrotron XAS. This scientific approach will contribute to design innovative photocatalytic process with potential industrial application. This MSCA-PF will certainly contribute the researcher to be trained in new scientific and transferable skills, enhancing the career perspectives to become an independent and mature researcher in the EU in the near future.

Heterogeneous catalysis has made a wide range of highly functionalized materials available to us and therefore is an important contributor to economy and society. Ethylene epoxidation is a keystone process of the chemical industry, because it produces one of the building block chemicals, ethylene oxide, from which a range of high-value chemicals can be manufactured. However, product formation competes with complete combustion to CO2, and the process is nowadays the largest CO2 emitter of the European industry. The reaction mechanisms that lead to either EO or CO2 formation, as well as the role of the catalytic surface, are still not determined. The project will implement a new approach to study the mechanism of ethylene oxidation under realistic reaction conditions, while making use of surface-sensitive and atomically accurate techniques. We will employ curved single crystals with tuneable surface structures as model catalysts to unveil site-specific reaction pathways for ethylene oxidation under both UHV and reaction conditions. We will explore the formation of different intermediate species, and determine the selectivity of the ethylene oxidation reaction. This approach significantly exceeds the current state-of-the-art, setting a new paradigm for the understanding of catalytic systems. The impact on academic research and industrial applications will be substantial.

Antibiotic resistance (AR) is one of the greatest threats to human health. The global overuse of antibiotics has resulted in the proliferation and dissemination of antibiotic resistant bacteria harboring a multitude of antibiotic resistance genes that can be mobilized by different horizontal gene transfer processes such as conjugation. Integrative Conjugative Elements (ICEs) are mobile genetic elements which are typically found integrated in the bacterial chromosome and encode the machinery for their conjugation. The so-called coupling proteins have a critical role in the conjugation process. ICECOUP is focused on the molecular and functional characterization of a critical component for ICE transmission, the coupling protein, with the ultimate goal of finding ICE conjugation inhibitors to block or, at least, minimize the AR spread. To date, ICE coupling proteins have received little attention despite their importance in the transfer mechanism. The supervision of Dr. Itziar Alkorta at the University of Basque Country(UPV/EHU) is a key element to guarantee the success of this project. ICECOUP will generate extensive and innovative scientific outputs that in the long run will have a societal impact, enhancing the catalogue of weapons to combat antibiotic resistance. The multidisciplinary approach of ICECOUP will allow me the reinforce my scientific knowledge and soft skills, while I acquire outreach and project management capacities. Undoubtedly, should this project be funded, it will strengthen my prospects to forge a stable career as an independent researcher able to secure funding.