Project description
A novel method for imaging drug-resistant cancer cells
Cancer treatment often fails due to the development of drug resistance by a subpopulation of drug-tolerant persister (DTP) cells. The detection of DTPs poses a significant technological challenge of clinical importance. The key objective of the EU-funded REAP project is to develop a sensitive method for the specific detection of DTPs. For this purpose, researchers will use nanoparticles functionalised to target and label DTPs. Combined with novel lasers and detectors, this approach will assist the in vivo imaging of tumours as well as the in vitro characterisation of DTPs in cancer organoids.
Objective
Cancer treatment faces a major problem: it ultimately stops working for many patients because the tumor becomes resistant. The cellular origin of relapse is often linked to drug tolerant persister (DTP) cells, which survive treatment and can remain for years. Because of their scarcity and heterogeneity, the detection of DTP cells remains a technological challenge of enormous clinical importance. The objective of REAP is to develop two next generation multimodal imaging systems to reveal DTPs. A triple modal two-photon laser scanning optical coherence photoacoustic microscopy system will be built for the in vitro characterization of cancer organoids. Additionally, a dual-modality optical coherence photoacoustic tomography system will be implemented to visualize tumors in vivo in a mouse model. To enable greatly increased sensitivity and specificity, a new type of contrast agent based on biofunctionalized nanoparticles with tailor-made optical properties will be fabricated to specifically label DTPs. For improved imaging performance, several further technological advancements are targeted. Photoacoustic excitation will be realized using innovative microchip lasers addressing the needs for high-energy pulses, high-repetition rate, and multi-wavelength emission. To achieve the required resolution, novel photoacoustic detectors based on integrated optical micro-ring resonator technology will be developed with the potential to completely replace conventional piezoelectric ultrasound transducers. Furthermore, image acquisition speed will be increased by an order of magnitude with the help of an innovative laser source based on photonic integrated circuits at 780 nm. Finally, real-time data handling will be explored along with deep learning-based automatic analysis algorithms. The combined innovation in laser sources, detector technology, nanoparticles, and deep learning-based algorithms will create radically new imaging solutions reaching numerous applications.
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.
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
- engineering and technology nanotechnology nano-materials
- natural sciences physical sciences optics laser physics
- natural sciences physical sciences acoustics ultrasound
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
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.
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H2020-EU.2.1.1. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies - Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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.
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.
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.
RIA - Research and Innovation action
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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.
(opens in new window) H2020-ICT-2018-20
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
1090 Wien
Austria
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.