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Content archived on 2024-05-30

Novel Upconversion Nanomaterials for Inorganic Photoactivated Chemotherapy

Objective

Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) have outstanding optical and magnetic properties, which make them extremely suited for application in cancer phototherapy and imaging. They efficiently convert low energy near infrared (NIR) light to higher energies in the visible. The so-generated upconverted luminescence can be exploited to photoactive anticancer metal complexes, a promising class of compounds studied as novel photochemotherapy agents. UCNP-mediated NIR activation will allow overcoming metal complexes’ light absorption limitations, simultaneously achieving considerably higher tissue penetration and preserving photochemical reactivity. Indeed, the rich photochemistry of metal complexes can result in unique cell killing modes, critically important in the development of novel anticancer prodrugs.
The project aims at investigating the use of UCNPs in the photoactivation of promising anticancer metal complexes, and more specifically at developing new nanomaterials where these two components are integrated to give a superior prodrug. Anchoring photoactive anticancer coordination compounds on UCNPs can produce materials with optimal photophysical and photochemical properties for chemotherapy. Moreover, the chemical versatility of UCNPs offers opportunity for functionalization with biological vectors, which improve biocompatibility, targeting and selectivity features of these integrated nanomaterials in cells and tissues. Remarkably, UCNPs are also excellent new candidates for multimodal (optical/MRI/PET) bioimaging. Their upconverted luminescence, magnetic resonance relaxivity and radioactivity (ease of 18F-labeling) will serve to visualize fundamental biological events with high spatial resolution, which are key to study the photoactive nanomaterials’ anticancer action as well as for their medical use. All such features combined together have the potential to deliver innovative therapeutic and imaging agents for cancer phototherapy.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

FP7-PEOPLE-2012-CIG
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Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

MC-CIG - Support for training and career development of researcher (CIG)

Coordinator

ASOCIACION CENTRO DE INVESTIGACION COOPERATIVA EN BIOMATERIALES- CIC biomaGUNE
EU contribution
€ 100 000,00
Address
PASEO MIRAMON 182, PARQUE TECNOLOGICO DE SAN SEBASTIAN EDIFICIO EMPRESARIAL C
20009 San Sebastian
Spain

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Region
Noreste País Vasco Gipuzkoa
Activity type
Research Organisations
Links
Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

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