Objective
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) causes over 35,000 deaths annually in the EU/EEA and is a major driver of chronic wound complications, where biofilm infections and poor vascularization often lead to delayed healing. Therefore, AURa aims to address two critical challenges in chronic wound healing: 1) persistent bacterial biofilms, resistant to conventional antibiotics, and 2) impaired vascularization, which delays repair and increases the risk of amputation.
AURa introduces a first-of-its-kind dual-action biohybrid scaffold that combines wireless, on-demand microcurrent stimulation (µES) for biofilm disruption with controlled VEGF-mimetic peptide delivery to stimulate angiogenesis and tissue regeneration. The bilayer scaffold will replicate skin’s native architecture, offering integrated antibacterial, angiogenic, and neurogenic cues in a single therapeutic platform. Using advanced biomaterials engineering and bioelectronics, AURa will explore the synergistic effects of µES and peptide release, moving beyond single-function dressings.
If successful, AURa will advance next-generation electroceutical biomaterials while reducing reliance on animal testing by bridging in vitro models with clinically relevant human explant systems and thereby supporting 3Rs principles (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement). The project’s impact lies in lowering AMR-related complications, reducing amputation risk, and establishing scalable alternatives for chronic wound care.
This MSCA fellowship will also provide a structured career development opportunity. Under the supervision of Prof. Fergal O’Brien at RCSI (Ireland), I will integrate my expertise in electrical stimulation-based therapeutics with his group’s leadership in biopolymer scaffolds and therapeutic delivery. AURa will therefore not only deliver a transformative wound management strategy but also strengthen my trajectory towards independent researcher in regenerative medicine and biomaterials-based electroceuticals.
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 pharmacology and pharmacy pharmaceutical drugs antibiotics
- engineering and technology industrial biotechnology biomaterials
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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.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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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-MSCA-2025-PF
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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.
D02 YN77 DUBLIN 2
Ireland
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.