Objective
"Genetically modified cells have revolutionized disease treatments by harnessing the power of the immune system. However, these approaches present challenges, including limited control over cell interactions, significant safety concerns, and the need to genetically engineer cells ex vivo. In PROVIDE, I propose a conceptually novel approach to engineer cells in vivo by delivering specific membrane proteins to target cells using extracellular vesicles (EVs). EVs are natural mediators of intercellular communication and can serve as biocompatible delivery vehicles of molecules. Furthermore, EVs are capable of displaying specialized proteins through genetic engineering of parental cells. However, the use of EVs as treatments faces challenges including limited targeting to and fusion with target cells, poor pharmacokinetics, and inefficient technologies for loading EVs with therapeutic or labeling agents. I hypothesize that rationally programming EVs to display specialized proteins can systematically address each of these issues.
PROVIDE will develop a modular library of surface proteins displayed on the surface of EVs to enhance targeting, pharmacokinetics, and membrane fusion for efficient in vivo delivery of therapeutic proteins directly into the membrane of target cells. Moreover, ion transporters capable of shuttling a wide range of substrates across the membrane, including multiple specialized MRI agents with different ""colors"", will be expressed in the membrane of EVs. This will enable in vivo monitoring of multiplex target delivery and tracking of modified cells using advanced heteronuclear MRI techniques. As a demonstration, I will simultaneously deliver a receptor-ligand pair to tumor and T cells, respectively, and monitor the recruitment of engineered T cells to engineered tumor cells in vivo.
PROVIDE addresses key limitations of current cell engineering strategies and will develop a cell-free platform for precise image guided treatments
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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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
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.
116 36 Praha 1
Czechia
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.