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4D Brain-Targeting Nanomedicines for Treating Neurodegeneration

Objective

Aging, Aging, genetic, and environmental factors have increased the prevalence of patients with neurodegenerative brain conditions, with limited treatment modalities. One prerequisite for effective brain treatments is the ability to target next-generation medications, including RNA and protein drugs, to specific neurons and brain regions. Nanotechnology platforms offer new therapeutic avenues for targeting drugs to organs and cells; their implementation in neurodegenerative diseases is nascent. In this research program, we aim to advance far beyond the state-of-the-art and elucidate the molecular and structural characteristics for designing nanotechnology drugs that target and treat brain neurodegeneration. In preliminary studies, we show that the blood-brain-barrier (BBB) overexpresses disease-specific receptors during neurodegeneration, which enable targeted nanoparticles to cross the BBB and penetrate neurons. Albeit these findings, the magnitude, mechanism, and nanotechnological molecular pattern for brain targeting are lacking. To address this fundamental gap, we will use advanced computation and engineering concepts to develop 4D-brain-targeting nanoparticles, that cross the BBB intact to target specific neuronal populations and brain regions. Robotic synthesis, coupled with active learning algorithms will be used to construct nanoparticles with combinations of targeting moieties on their surface and evaluate their neuronal specificity. Supported microfluidic BBB apparatus will be used to screen the nanoparticles ability to target and cross the BBB. A track-and-seek radar system will locate the nanoparticles in the brain, directing localized robotic biopsy of the nanoparticles in the destination cells in the brain. To connect our findings to future clinical implementation, fMRI will be used to record the therapeutic activity of the nanoparticles in the brain. This program will provide the community with essential findings to allow brain-targeted therapeutics.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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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)

Programme(s)

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.

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.

HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) ERC-2022-COG

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Host institution

TECHNION - ISRAEL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Net EU contribution

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.

€ 2 000 000,00
Address
SENATE BUILDING TECHNION CITY
32000 Haifa
Israel

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Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost

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.

€ 2 000 000,00

Beneficiaries (1)

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