Descrizione del progetto
Innovativo modello 3D del microambiente del tumore cerebrale
Il progetto MagDock, finanziato dall’UE, si propone di sviluppare sistemi di co-coltura modulare 3D per la ricapitolazione del microambiente fisiologico dei tumori cerebrali. L’innovazione del progetto prevede la progettazione e la fabbricazione di microimpalcature magnetiche avvalendosi della tecnica di polimerizzazione a due fotoni. Le microimpalcature collegate a un sistema fluidico in cui sono state impiantate le cellule endoteliali ricreeranno la barriera emato-encefalica. Tale sistema bio-ibrido fungerà da base per le microgabbie ferromagnetiche delle cellule di glioblastoma e le microgabbie superparamagnetiche delle cellule progenitrici neuronali. L’innovativo modello 3D riprodurrà fedelmente il microambiente reale del glioblastoma e fornirà la piattaforma per lo screening ad alto rendimento dei farmaci candidati e la sperimentazione in vitro di diverse terapie antitumorali.
Obiettivo
This project is focused on the design, the production, the characterization, and the proposal for future commercialization of 3D modular co-culture systems, specifically designed to recapitulate the physio-pathological microenvironment of brain tumor. The key technology at the base of the proposed project is the design of magnetic microscaffolds and their fabrication through two-photon polymerization (2pp), a disruptive mesoscale manufacturing technique that enables low-cost obtainment of microstructures with nanometric resolution, characterized by unprecedented levels of accuracy and reproducibility. A microtubular structure scaffolding endothelial cells and connected to a fluidic system will be exploited to mimic the blood-brain barrier: this biohybrid device will be the base for the assembly of ferromagnetic “microcages” hosting glioblastoma cells, and will be provided with docking systems for superparamagnetic “microcages” carrying undifferentiated and differentiated neuronal progenitor cells. This approach represents a disruptive innovation with respect to other 3D models available in the literature, as it will allow a faithful recapitulation of the complex glioblastoma microenvironment through a platform that can be very easily handled in any laboratory. High-throughput screenings of brain drugs and in vitro testing of the efficacy of different anticancer therapies are envisaged upon successful accomplishment of the project, leading to a pioneering generation of flexible multi-cellular platforms easily adaptable to the mimicry of different pathological conditions.
Campo scientifico
Parole chiave
Programma(i)
- HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme
Argomento(i)
Meccanismo di finanziamento
HORIZON-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept GrantsIstituzione ospitante
16163 Genova
Italia