Objective
This project will produce an electrochemical device to induce central nervous system (CNS) repair, based on electroactive materials, electrical field (EF) stimulation and axonal growth promotion.
The device will be tested in vitro with cultured cells and brain-spinal cord preparations from amphibians and rodents. Pilot in vivo experiments with a rat model of spinal cord injury will take place at the end of the project.
We aim to develop a three-dimensional scaffold (3D-S) with defined structural and electrochemical properties that supports neural cell function, avoids cytotoxicity and inflammation and guides growing axons through lesion sites. The 3D-S will be made from electroactive materials that, besides giving structural support, will permit the application of EFs to promote regrowth of axons and modulate redox reactions in cell/material interfaces. We will focus on organic conducting polymers (polypyrrole) and biodegradable poly-(trimethylene carbonate/e-caprolactone, P(TMC-CL)) copolymers, alone and as composites with titanium and iridium oxides. Materials will be synthesised by chemistry methods that tune the electrochemical potential of the active surface.
Material performance will be studied in electrochemical devices with physiological fluids, neural, endothelial and inflammatory cells and CNS preparations. The optimisation of material structure and electrochemical activity will culminate in the production of a 3D-S seeded with neural cells and equipped with electrodes to promote CNS repair. Device configurations with varied stimulating electrode arrangements will be tested. Material surfaces and biomaterial interfaces will be characterized using state-of-the-art technologies including AFM and XPS. Neural responses will be quantified by using fluorescent tracers, optical and electron microscopy and bioimpedance spectroscopy. Raman/SERS and scanning electrochemical microscopy will be used to monitor cell chemical state and redox reactions.
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 neurobiology
- natural sciences chemical sciences organic chemistry organic reactions
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry inorganic compounds
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry transition metals
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy electron microscopy
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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.
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.
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.
FP6-2004-NEST-C-1
See other projects for this call
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.
Coordinator
TOLEDO
Spain
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.