Project description
Remote control of cells for the future of medicine
Imagine being able to activate, silence, or redirect cells inside your body at the touch of a button, just as easily as tuning a radio. The ERC-funded CELL-NANO-REMOTE project aims to make this a reality. Drawing from fields such as optogenetics and magnetogenetics, the project seeks to achieve remote control over multiple cell functions at once. Specifically, it is combining smart, stimuli-responsive nanoparticles with advanced genetic engineering to create cells that respond to light, magnetic fields, or ultrasound in specific ways. Researchers will use these signals to guide cells to perform complex tasks in real time. This technology could transform immunotherapy, regenerative medicine, and biotechnology.
Objective
CELL-NANO-REMOTE aims to achieve flexible, remote control over therapeutic cell behaviour. In previous work in optogenetics and magnetogenetics, only partial remote cell control has been attained using light or magnetic fields as triggers. Furthermore, these approaches are generally limited to single cell responses, typically influencing one particular gene, receptor, or ion channel. In contrast, CELL-NANO-REMOTE seeks to obtain independent control over various cell functions without cross-activation upon application of external stimuli (light, magnetic fields or ultrasound).
To surpass the limitations of current strategies and achieve the ambitious goal of the project, CELL-NANO-REMOTE combines various stimuli-responsive nanoparticles (NPs) and genetic engineering as ex vivo modification tools of the target cells. To ensure uniform and simultaneous uptake of all the different NPs by cells, they will be assembled into multi-NP assemblies. These multi-NP assemblies will be characterized by nano flow cytometry, a novel technique which enables optimization of assembly conditions to ensure the desired ratio of each component. In response to the application of external stimuli, the NPs will release different cargos inside the engineered cells, providing control over various cell functions. To demonstrate the potential of this approach to improve cell therapies, the project will unfold in two stages: a proof-of-concept stage using a model cell line followed by a second stage showcasing two case studies, in immunology and in regenerative medicine.
The CELL-NANO-REMOTE approach will offer flexible, real-time command of cell behaviour, allowing for adaptable and dynamic control of cell responses. This remote-control system could revolutionize how we manipulate therapeutic cells, offering significant advancements for a wide range of pathologies. Furthermore, this strategy will have applications not only in cell therapy, but also in biotechnology more broadly.
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 basic medicine immunology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pathology
- engineering and technology nanotechnology nano-materials
- natural sciences physical sciences acoustics ultrasound
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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 - HORIZON ERC 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-2025-STG
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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.
29590 MALAGA
Spain
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.