Project description
Creating a revolutionary class of radiotracers with mechanically interlocked molecules
Radionuclide therapy is a highly selective cancer treatment that combines diagnostic imaging with radiation therapy, whereby radiometal chelates deliver radiotracers and radiopharmaceuticals through the bloodstream to targeted cancer cells. Although effective, current radiotracers are prone to off-target toxicity, poor biodistribution and structural instability. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the MIRACLE project will leverage the unique properties of mechanically interlocked molecules, such as rotaxanes and catenanes, to design advanced radiotracers for molecular imaging. These structures not only provide steric shielding to prevent toxic leakage, they can also be customised and programmed to respond to stimuli, allowing them to maintain stability, circulate more efficiently and target proteins with greater precision.
Objective
Cancer is a leading global cause of death, with cases projected to rise sharply over the next decades. Radionuclide therapy (RNT) offers a highly selective alternative to conventional radiation treatments, using radiometal chelates for targeted tumour eradication. Despite clinical successes, current radiotracers face limitations including off-target toxicity, suboptimal pharmacokinetics, and insufficient stability. Mechanically Interlocked RAdiotracers CheLators (MIRACLEs) address these challenges by developing mechanically interlocked molecules (MIMs), such as rotaxanes and catenanes, as next-generation radiotracers. These structures enable modular synthesis, tunable dynamics, and stimulus-responsiveness, allowing “smart” tracers with enhanced protein targeting, biodistribution control and metabolic stability. By integrating DOTA/DO3A scaffolds within mechanically interlocked architectures, mechanical bonds decouple thermodynamic affinity from kinetic inertness, providing steric shielding and addressing a key failure mode of conventional radiochelates. This project will generate mechanically interlocked radiotracers (MIRTs) with improved in vivo stability, precise tissue-specific dosimetry, and efficient clearance. By combining supramolecular chemistry with radiopharmaceutical design, MIRACLE aims to deliver radiotheranostic agents with superior selectivity, safety and translational potential for clinical oncology.
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.
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy pharmacokinetics
- natural sciences chemical sciences nuclear chemistry radiation chemistry
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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.
CV4 8UW COVENTRY
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.