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Novel and systematically controlled surface modification on gastrointestinal corona formation

Project description

Optimised nanoparticles for in vivo delivery

Nanoparticles have gained significant attention for their potential in drug delivery. When they are exposed to physiological fluids, a layer of proteins forms on their surface known as a corona. This can profoundly influence their behaviour and effectiveness in vivo. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the GUTCORONA project proposes to design nanoparticles with controlled surface modifications as a way to manipulate protein corona formation in environments like plasma or the gastrointestinal tract. The idea is to introduce a temperature-responsive surface functionality on nanoparticles and then apply a magnet or laser to generate high temperatures and disrupt the corona structure. Ultimately, these nanoparticles will be optimised for drug delivery and imaging, enhancing theranostic applications.

Objective

It is now well recognized that the protein corona formed on particles in physiological fluids has a strong impact on their performance in vivo. Therefore, this project aims to design and develop systematically controlled surface-modified nanoparticles for the formation and on-demand modification of protein corona in plasma or gastrointestinal environments. Firstly, the initial hypothesis is that the structure and composition of the corona formed on nanoparticles will be different with varying temperature-responsive surface functionality. Then, the second hypothesis is that using an alternating magnetic field (AMF) or near-infrared laser (NIR) as two different methods to activate the particles, these nanoparticles will act as internal heating sources generate localized high temperatures to modify the nature of the surface functionality, disrupting the corona structure, thereby enhancing cellular uptake and biological activity. Using this information, the nanoparticles will be optimized for use as theranostic agents, offering preferential accumulation, enhanced drug efficacy, and serving as contrast agents for in vivo and preclinical MRI/CT imaging. Through this Fellowship I will pass on my materials expertise to the host group while gaining new skills and experience at the intersection of colloid science and biology.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01

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Coordinator

KOBENHAVNS UNIVERSITET
Net EU contribution
€ 247 553,28
Address
NORREGADE 10
1165 KOBENHAVN
Denmark
Region
Danmark Hovedstaden Byen København
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost
No data