Project description
Advanced photoporation technology for high-throughput cell therapy
Genetic modification of cells in gene and cell therapy applications has traditionally been performed using viral vectors. However, these vectors pose safety concerns. The EIC-funded Penphomet project proposes to advance PEN photoporation, a non-viral technology for genetic engineering in cancer therapies using T cells and mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). The technology uses photothermal nanofibers and laser light and offers a safer alternative, with minimal impact on cells. Researchers aim to develop an automated high-throughput system capable of transfecting large quantities of T cells and MSCs, validated for clinical use. Ultimately, this approach will lead to enhanced cell therapy production for cancer treatment.
Objective
Adoptive cell therapy has emerged as a promising strategy to treat cancer. It relies on patient-derived cells, such as T cells and mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), which are genetically engineered to become better equipped to fight cancer cells. While ex vivo genetic modification of T cells and MSCs has traditionally been performed with viral vectors, they come with concerns about safety, sustainable production and high development costs. Electroporation is a non-viral alternative transfection technology, but can lead to significant gene expression changes, phenotypic alterations, and decreased therapeutic potency. Recently, photoporation with electrospun photothermal nanofibers (PEN photoporation) was demonstrated to provide a safer alternative with minimal impact on the cell’s functionality and phenotype. The technology makes use of photothermal nanofibers which, upon stimulation with laser light, can transiently permeabilize cells to allow gene-modifying effector molecules to enter the cells. Having been thoroughly demonstrated and validated in a research setting (TRL4), this project aims to bring the PEN photoporation technology to TLR6 by developing hard- and software for automated high-throughput transfections of T cells (>1B cells/h) and MSCs (>10M cells/h). The technology will be extensively tested and validated in the cGMP compliant laboratories of the project partners for the genetic engineering of T cells and MSCs. At the same time, steps will be taken to prepare for commercialization and market deployment. By the end of the project a fully automated and validated high-throughput prototype system will be available for installation at centralized cell production facilities or ready for integration in point-of-care cell manufacturing equipment. This project aligns with the Micro-Nano-Bio challenge as it combines nanotechnology with microfluidics to enhance genetically engineered cell therapy products.
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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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.3.1 - The European Innovation Council (EIC)
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Topic(s)
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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.
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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-EIC-2023-TRANSITION-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.
9000 GENT
Belgium
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
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.