Project description
Innovative luminescent thermometers without heavy metals
Current techniques for in vivo temperature mapping are inadequate. Luminescent nanothermometers show potential for clinical use, but their development is hindered by concerns about nano-safety, toxicity, and biocompatibility. Many proposed fluorescent nanothermometers contain heavy metals, which pose additional challenges. The ERC-funded LUMITOOLS project aims to address these issues by developing nanothermometers using luminescent, degradable nanomaterials that do not contain heavy metals. The goal is to create stable, high-performing nanothermometers that biodegrade completely after use. This advancement could significantly enhance future in vivo thermometry research and may lead to the development of nanothermometers with substantial potential for clinical applications.
Objective
Thermal monitoring plays a paramount role in disease diagnosis. The currently available techniques are not performing satisfactorily for sophisticated in vivo temperature mapping. Employing luminescence for in vivo temperature assessment has attracted substantial interest in the past decade. However, despite their great promise and impact, to date, luminescent nanothermometers have not surpassed preclinical stages. Here, nano-safety, toxicity, and biocompatibility remain vivid issues, as the majority of the proposed fluorescent nanothermometers are built of heavy metals (rare-earth nanoparticles, quantum dots). In order to move towards usage of luminescent nanothermometers on the clinical level there is a clear need to resolve these obstacles, which is the goal of project LUMITOOLS. To achieve this goal, at this stage moving away from nanothermometers built of heavy metals seems well judged, at least until current toxicity and accumulation risks can be suitably addressed and rectified. The project aims at building nanothermometers from luminescent degradable nanomaterials without the usage of heavy metals. The aim is to develop stable, well-performing nanothermometers, which thoroughly annihilate after they have done their job, would constitute an important advancement for future research efforts on in vivo thermometry applications. This project would allow delivering nanothermometers with true potential for implementation in clinics.
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.
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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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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
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.
HORIZON-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants
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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) ERC-2023-POC
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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.
9000 GENT
Belgium
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.