Objective The aim of the proposed interdisciplinary project is to design, make and test novel nanoparticles that will have direct and rapid impact in osteoporosis. The unique aspect of these injectable nanoparticles is that they will deliver active therapy locally, to where it is needed, and that the cargo is not a conventional drug, but a sustained delivery of a combination of active inorganic cations and rare earth nanoparticles. Certain cations can promote bone growth and inhibit resorption and nanoceria can scavenge free radicals that would otherwise accelerate osteoporosis. Systemic concentrations of active agents will be much smaller that caused by taking oral drugs. Delivery will be sustained because it is controlled by the dissolution rate of biodegradable mesoporous silica nanoparticles, which will improve over biodegradable polymer capsules that often deliver a burst release of their drug cargo. Beyond the project, long-term impact could include slowing metastasis of tumours into bone (e.g. breast cancer to the sternum). The biodegradable mesoporous silica nanoparticles will be synthesised by sol-gel, while the nanoceria will be synthesized by co-precipitation method and microwave treatment and entrapped within the silica network. Key aspects will be: incorporation of active ions and nanoceria within monodispersed silica nanoparticles of controlled size; ensuring the particles remain dispersed in body fluid (control of surface chemistry); testing efficacy in cell co-culture (uptake and cell stimulation) and investigating the effect of the presence of the particles on immune cells. The effect of process variables on composition, particle size, bioactivity, degradation rate, radical scavenger ability and the cellular response will be investigated. Fields of science medical and health scienceshealth sciencesnursingnatural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistryalkaline earth metalsmedical and health sciencesbasic medicineimmunologymedical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncologybreast cancerengineering and technologynanotechnologynano-materials Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2015-EF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-EF) Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2015 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF Coordinator IMPERIAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND MEDICINE Net EU contribution € 183 454,80 Address SOUTH KENSINGTON CAMPUS EXHIBITION ROAD SW7 2AZ LONDON United Kingdom See on map Region London Inner London — West Westminster Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 183 454,80
