Objective
Antibiotic-resistant bacterial skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are difficult to diagnose and treat, prolonging hospital stays and lowering quality of life. Chronic wounds harbour antibiotic-resistant microorganisms that form biofilms, leading to conditions like diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). Approximately 50% of DFUs become infected, making them the most prevalent and costly diabetes complication, with a higher mortality and morbidity risk from lower limb amputation. There is an urgent need to develop effective, localised solutions for treating SSTIs that do not depend on antibiotics, especially against complex biofilms like those occurring in DFU cases.
In this Proof of Concept project, we will evaluate a PHOTOCURE wound patch: a porous nanothin Ag/TiOx film with visible-light photocatalytic activity that produces superoxide radicals to effectively eradicate biofilms in the SSTIs context. The patch boasts enhanced mechanical stability for durability and sustained activity across multiple irradiation cycles, offering a viable option for recurrent treatment. PHOTOCURE patch presents a more efficient drug-free alternative to conventional antibiotic treatments, with reduced adverse effects, addressing the escalating challenges of antibiotic and multidrug resistance.
The project will validate the antimicrobial efficacy of TiOx-polymer nanocomposite patches against both single and multiple-species biofilms relevant to chronic SSTIs, notably DFUs, using ex vivo and in vivo human-relevant models. Subsequently, we will devise a comprehensive IP strategy, secure initial patents, and conduct thorough market and competitor analyses within the antimicrobial wound care dressing sector. Finally, we will outline a detailed business case for advancing the PHOTOCURE prototype to market.
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.
- social sciences sociology demography mortality
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine endocrinology diabetes
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy pharmaceutical drugs antibiotics
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology
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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.1.1 - 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-2024-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.
171 77 STOCKHOLM
Sweden
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.