Project description DEENESFRITPL Nanotechnology-based intracellular drug delivery to target Mycobacterium tuberculosis Tuberculosis (TB) is a major global public health problem with an alarming increase of multidrug-resistant cases. TB is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis that can survive inside host cells, mainly in macrophages. The intracellular elimination of these bacteria is more efficient with delivery of host cell-directed therapeutics. The EU-funded TBNANO project aims to develop and evaluate antitubercular drug-loaded nanocapsules capable of targeting host cell molecules. The surface of the nanocapsules will be functionalised with macrophage-targeting peptides and mannose derivatives. This nanotechnology-based drug delivery will enhance cellular uptake by the host macrophages, resulting in the efficient targeting of the intracellular mycobacteria, while reducing the undesirable drug side effects. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective Tuberculosis (TB) is still a major public health problem worldwide. It is estimated that more than one-quarter of the world's population is infected with this airborne infectious disease. Moreover, the increase of multidrug- and extensively drug-resistant TB is alarming. TB is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, an intracellular pathogen that can survive in host cells, mainly in macrophages. The uptake of the antitubercular drugs by infected host cells is limited. The orally or intravenously administered drugs are distributed throughout the body causing side effects and the majority of the drug molecules do not reach their targets. The elimination of the intracellular bacteria could be more efficient with host cell directed delivery. The TBNANO project aims to develop and in vitro evaluate antitubercular agent-loaded nanocapsules decorated with host cell targeting molecules. For this purpose, naturally occurring, biocompatible and biodegradable polysaccharide nanocapsules loaded with a recently approved anti-TB drug (bedaquiline) and antimicrobial peptides will be used. The surface of the nanocapsules will be functionalized with macrophage targeting ligands, such as peptides and mannose derivatives. With such nanotechnology-based drug delivery system, enhanced cellular uptake can be achieved by the host cell macrophages, therefore, the anti-TB agent can reach the intracellular bacteria as site of action. This approach leads to increased bioavailability and selectivity of the drugs while reducing their undesirable side effects. The proposed project could provide a breakthrough step in nanotechnology-based TB treatment to get closer to a world free of TB. Furthermore, this multidisciplinary project provide valuable transfer of knowledge to the host institution, as well as advanced training of the young researcher in the field of nanomaterial science to broaden her expertise in drug delivery systems. Fields of science medical and health scienceshealth sciencespublic healthnatural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiologybacteriologymedical and health scienceshealth sciencesinfectious diseasesmedical and health sciencesclinical medicinepneumologytuberculosisnatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculescarbohydrates Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2018 - Individual Fellowships Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2018 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF Coordinator AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS Net EU contribution € 172 932,48 Address Calle serrano 117 28006 Madrid Spain See on map Region Comunidad de Madrid Comunidad de Madrid Madrid Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00
