Objective
The incidence of chronic vision-impairing retinal diseases is increasing due to population ageing. Monthly intraocular injections are the standard of care, despite the important risks (e.g. infection and haemorrhage) associated with this practice. A promising alternative is the periocular injection of nanocarriers, which are able to enhance the permeability across the ocular membranes. However, as periocular administration relies on the drug transport mechanisms in the tissues to reach the target, animal tests are generally needed for a prediction of drug distribution after the injection.
The researcher aims at the development of an ex vivo model of a whole porcine eye which will constitute an evaluation tool for periocular nanoformulations targeting the retina and will allow for a deep understanding of the ocular penetration paths. The project will (i) provide a safer alternative to intraocular injections, (ii) reduce the need for animal testing in the pre-clinical phase of product development and (iii) overcome the current limitations of mathematical models, which are generally unable to predict the complexity of nanoformulations transport.
This MSCA will be implemented throughout 24 months at the University of Parma, and it will include two 3-months secondments: the researcher will be trained on pharmacokinetics mathematical models at the University of Navarra and on Organs-on-a-Chip models at Tel Aviv University.
The selected methodology allows for a cutting-edge approach to nanoparticles design, promoting the synergistic use of chemistry tools (spectroscopy) with medicine and biology (ex vivo models, 3D imaging, cellular assays) and engineering tools (mathematical models, Organs-on-a-Chip).
The competencies acquired during the project will complement the researcher’s background towards the ultimate goal of becoming an expert in the development of innovative and effective ophthalmic therapeutics, with a focus on alternative methods to animal testing.
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.
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine ophthalmology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy pharmacokinetics
- engineering and technology nanotechnology nano-materials
- natural sciences physical sciences optics spectroscopy
- natural sciences mathematics applied mathematics mathematical model
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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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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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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) HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01
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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.
43121 PARMA
Italy
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.