Objective
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic and debilitating neurodegenerative movement disorder that is set to rise in incidence with a rapidly ageing global population. As current clinical treatments offer only symptomatic control with no curative options, there is an urgent need for novel therapeutic approaches that can delay further neurodegeneration and enhance the overall quality of life in PD patients. Recent emerging evidence on the prion-like spreading neuronal accumulation of misfolded α-synuclein proteins as well as the oxidative stress induced demise of dopaminergic neurons have revealed promising molecular targets for potential disease modifying therapies. Capitalising on the facile synthesis, low cytotoxicities and unique optical properties of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), we propose the development of two types of novel AuNPs bearing leptin-receptor targeting peptides, namely (a) leptin-poly(ethylene glycol)(PEG)-poly(ethyleneimine)(PEI)-AuNP and (b) α-synuclein inhibitor-/leptin-PEG-AuNP for the respective delivery of the Nrf-2 antioxidant gene (pNrf-2) and α-synuclein peptide inhibitor across the blood brain barrier (BBB). In this study, detailed physicochemical characterisation as well as the evaluation of the cytotoxic and inflammatory properties of the functionalised AuNPs will be studied in a panel of brain-relevant cell types. The BBB permeability of the functionalised AuNPs and pNrf-2 complexes will be evaluated in a well-characterised in vitro transwell co-culture model; with cellular localisation examined using advanced microscopic techniques. The neuroprotective effects of inhibiting α-synuclein aggregation and upregulation of Nrf-2 antioxidant proteins using the functionalised AuNPs will be examined in a dopaminergic cell line. It is envisioned that upon the successful establishment of their respective neuroprotective effects, both types of functionalised AuNPs could be simultaneously administered for maximal clinical benefits.
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 biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- engineering and technology nanotechnology nano-materials
- natural sciences chemical sciences organic chemistry aliphatic compounds
- medical and health sciences basic medicine neurology parkinson
You need to log in or register to use this function
We are sorry... an unexpected error occurred during execution.
You need to be authenticated. Your session might have expired.
Thank you for your feedback. You will soon receive an email to confirm the submission. If you have selected to be notified about the reporting status, you will also be contacted when the reporting status will change.
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.
FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IIF
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
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.