Objectif In this project we aim to develop a new delivery platform for allergy vaccines with a high efficacy and a high safety profile combining membrane fusion-mediated delivery and microneedle-based dermal delivery.Background: Within the ERC Starting Grant “Direct Drug Delivery”, I developed a method for the controlled fusion of liposomes with cells. A set of complementary peptide amphiphiles (coilK and coilE), able to form heterodimeric coiled coils, were shown to induce targeted and efficient fusion between two opposing membranes. More importantly, we have shown that this method of fusion can be applied to liposomes and to live cells. Since liposomes can be used as drug or vaccine carriers, this enables the direct delivery of these compounds into live cells. The Problem: Allergen-specific immunotherapy for treating allergies such as asthma is currently performed via chronic subcutaneous administration of allergen extracts to patients. Unfortunately, it requires monthly injections for several years to achieve the desired long-lasting immunological tolerance. These vaccinations are typically performed by intramuscular or subcutaneous injections, causing pain and stress. Therefore there is a need for a new and more efficient administration platform to achieve shorter, safer and more patient-friendly protocols.Our solution: Dermal delivery of vaccines offers a great potential, due to the large number of immune cells present in the skin. In order to increase the efficacy of current allergen-specific immunotherapy, it is our idea to use the membrane fusion heterodimeric coiled coil peptide pair to induce efficient cellular uptake and processing of a commercially used allergen (rBet v1) encapsulated in liposomes in order to increase its efficacy as an allergy vaccine. Champ scientifique medical and health sciencesclinical medicinepneumologyasthmanatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesmedical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacypharmaceutical drugsvaccinesmedical and health sciencesclinical medicineallergologymedical and health sciencesbasic medicineimmunologyimmunotherapy Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme Thème(s) ERC-PoC-2014 - ERC Proof of Concept Grant Appel à propositions ERC-2014-PoC Voir d’autres projets de cet appel Régime de financement ERC-POC - Proof of Concept Grant Institution d’accueil UNIVERSITEIT LEIDEN Contribution nette de l'UE € 150 000,00 Adresse RAPENBURG 70 2311 EZ Leiden Pays-Bas Voir sur la carte Région West-Nederland Zuid-Holland Agglomeratie Leiden en Bollenstreek Type d’activité Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Liens Contacter l’organisation Opens in new window Site web Opens in new window Participation aux programmes de R&I de l'UE Opens in new window Réseau de collaboration HORIZON Opens in new window Coût total € 150 000,00 Bénéficiaires (1) Trier par ordre alphabétique Trier par contribution nette de l'UE Tout développer Tout réduire UNIVERSITEIT LEIDEN Pays-Bas Contribution nette de l'UE € 150 000,00 Adresse RAPENBURG 70 2311 EZ Leiden Voir sur la carte Région West-Nederland Zuid-Holland Agglomeratie Leiden en Bollenstreek Type d’activité Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Liens Contacter l’organisation Opens in new window Site web Opens in new window Participation aux programmes de R&I de l'UE Opens in new window Réseau de collaboration HORIZON Opens in new window Coût total € 150 000,00