Objective
Electroporation or electropermeabilization is the electrical disruption of a cell’s membrane to introduce foreign DNA, RNAs, drugs, proteins, or other therapies into the living cells. This technique is one of the most popular non-viral gene transfer methods for both in vitro and in vivo application. However, this method is suffering from several limitations such as: i) low transfection efficiency, ii) poor cell viability, and iii) random uptake. Multiple applications of electroporation in biotechnology and medicine rely on trial and error optimization of treatment conditions rather than knowledge of pores, dynamics and electrotransfer of DNA, due to the limited spatial and temporal resolution of traditional tools. More interesting, the phenomena behind electro-mediated membrane permeabilization to plasmid DNA (~4.5 kbp) have been shown to be significantly more complex than those for small molecules. Therefore, successful DNA electrotransfer into cells depends not only on cell permeabilization (or poration) but also on the way plasmid DNA interacts with the membrane and, once into the cell, migrates toward the nuclei.
The main aim of this proposal to understand and control the transport of DNA in electroporation treatment such that stable, safe and efficient gene transfection can be achieved. Here I will use single molecule techniques (such as AFM, FRET, confocal and optical tweerers) with high spatio-temporal resolution to investigate the process of electroporation at different length (from bulk to micro/nano) and time scale (ranging from micro-seconds to hours). In addition, these unique tools will be integrated with novel micro/nanofluidics to investigate the electroporation and electrokinetic flow of DNA at micro/nano-scale. I will observe all the processes in real time with unprecedented details and quantitatively examine the kinetics of pore formation/resealing and cytoplasmic trafficking of DNA.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology genetic engineering gene therapy
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics DNA
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics RNA
- natural sciences chemical sciences electrochemistry bioelectrochemistry electroporation
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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.
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.
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.
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
2628 CN DELFT
Netherlands
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