Objective
Every living cell is surrounded by a dynamic surface, a constantly shifting landscape of molecules that allows it to sense, communicate, and adapt to its environment. This responsiveness underpins vital biological processes, including immune surveillance, wound healing, and tissue homeostasis. When scientists engineer therapeutic cells to repair tissues or treat disease, these living medicines face a major obstacle: the body’s immune system rapidly recognises and clears them before they can act. To protect them, researchers have developed polymer coatings that act as stealthy shields, masking the cells from immune attack. Although these coatings have proven effective at prolonging cell survival, they are largely static and unresponsive, which can interfere with primary functions, such as receptor recognition required for tumour killing. Unlike natural cell surfaces, these synthetic layers cannot sense or adapt to changing biological conditions, which severely limits their therapeutic potential. CELLWARE aims to overcome this challenge by recreating and enhancing the natural adaptability of cell surfaces. The project will design stimuli-responsive polymer coatings, intelligent materials that sense biological cues and dynamically adjust their properties in response to circulation, targeting, and activation. A key barrier in the field is the limited understanding of how polymer composition and structure influence behaviour on living membranes. CELLWARE will combine advanced polymer synthesis, precise chemical tuning, and super-resolution imaging to observe individual polymers as they interact with cells. This chemical–optical feedback will reveal how adaptive coatings insert, persist, or shed from membranes in real time. By uncovering the molecular rules that govern adaptive polymer behaviour, we will establish the first chemical blueprint for designing dynamic stealth coatings, opening new pathways for precision drug delivery and next-generation cell therapies.
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 physical sciences optics microscopy super resolution microscopy
- natural sciences chemical sciences polymer sciences
- medical and health sciences basic medicine immunology
- engineering and technology materials engineering coating and films
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology cells technologies
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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-2026-STG
See all projects funded under this callHost institution
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.
WC1E 6BT 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.