Project description
Novel photosensitisers for cancer photodynamic therapy
Photodynamic therapy is a promising type of cancer treatment that uses a photosensitiser, which accumulates in the target cell and after exposure to the specific type of light produces reactive oxygen to kill the cell. To improve effectiveness of the therapy, better photosensitisers are needed. The EU-funded OrganometRuPDT proposal plans to use cyclometalated Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes as novel photosensitisers in cancer photodynamic therapy. These compounds are easy to synthesise and they will have a higher lipophilicity, enabling better penetration through cell membranes. Researchers plan additional steps to increase specificity of these molecules and apply X-ray fluorescence and single cell inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to determine their biodistribution.
Objective
In this project, I plan to use cyclometalated Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes as novel photosensitizers (PSs) in photodynamic therapy (PDT) to fight cancer. Such compounds are easier to synthesise than the well-known porphyrins and have a higher lipophilicity (to better cross the cell membrane) and a bathochromic shift of the absorption (to irradiate at low energies) than the usual Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes. Furthermore, I plan to couple maleimide moieties to these complexes to directly bind cysteine-containing biomolecules (i.e. HSA) and therefore, overcome the selectivity issues observed for the typical PSs. The use of bisbenzimidazoles as ancillary ligands will allow to tune the properties of the complexes in view of having the most red-shifted absorption. Computational chemistry will be first used to design the complexes, and after the synthesis and complete characterization, biological experiments will be performed to evaluate their potential as PSs. A secondment under the supervision of Prof. Clotilde Policar will allow localizing the compounds prepared by the use of a synchrotron-based imaging technique (X-ray fluorescence) as well as single cell ICP-MS, which will help to detect the metal inside the cell and figure out the biodistribution of the complexes. The multidisciplinary scope of this work along with their innovative aspects to selectively cause death of cancerous cells, make it a ground-breaking proposal. In addition, working in one of the best universities of the world, under the supervision of Dr. Gilles Gasser and Prof. Clotilde Policar will promote my scientific career.
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
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
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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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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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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.
MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF
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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) H2020-MSCA-IF-2018
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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.
75231 PARIS CEDEX 05
France
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.