Project description
Programmable synthetic cells for precision drug delivery
Precision medicine is aimed at delivering the right treatment at precise locations and times. Existing strategies involving engineered cell therapies and synthetic drug delivery systems carry significant limitations, including immune rejection, poor targeting and uncontrolled drug release. Synthetic cells offer a promising alternative, combining the adaptability of living therapies with the controllability of synthetic systems. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the Reactive SynCell project aims to develop programmable synthetic cells that sense hallmark features of diseased tissue such as low oxygen and acidity. The idea is to integrate synthetic biology, microfluidics and biomembrane engineering so that these cells respond by producing and releasing therapeutic proteins on demand. Potential applications include cancer and neurodegeneration.
Objective
This project aims to develop programmable, disease-responsive synthetic cells capable of sensing and adapting to pathological microenvironments—specifically hypoxia and acidity—by synthesizing and releasing therapeutic proteins on demand. Synthetic Cell Therapy, a novel class of precision medicine, will combine the adaptability of engineered living cell therapies with the precision and controllability of synthetic drug delivery systems. By leveraging the safety, modularity, and programmability of bottom-up synthetic biology, the proposed work addresses key limitations of current therapeutics, including immune rejection and uncontrolled behavior (engineered cell therapy), poor targeting and premature drug release (synthetic drug delivery system).
Two complementary strategies will be explored: (1) gene circuit–mediated therapeutic synthesis and release, and (2) physicochemical multi-stage drug release. WP1 will develop stimuli-responsive gene circuits for in situ transcription–translation of therapeutic proteins and pore-formers within microfluidic-generated synthetic cells, enabling real-time, stimuli-triggered therapeutic action. WP2 will engineer multi-compartmental synthetic cells with membrane lipids responsive to hypoxia and acidity, enabling graded, multi-stage release based on disease severity. Together, these approaches offer lifelike adaptive therapeutic behavior with spatial, temporal, and dosage control.
This interdisciplinary proposal integrates synthetic biology, microfluidics, biomembrane engineering, and pharmaceutical sciences, aligning with MSCA priorities in excellence, interdisciplinary and frontier research. The project addresses unmet medical needs in cancer and neurodegeneration and advances next-generation, safe, and intelligent precision medicine platforms, contributing to the Horizon Europe goals of fostering innovation, strengthening Europe's research competitiveness, and improving healthcare outcomes.
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.
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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.
SW7 2AZ London
United Kingdom
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.