Project description
ncRNAs in the fight against cancer
Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) regulate gene expression, and there is increasing evidence that they may be implicated in cancer development and progression. With this in mind, scientists of the EU-funded cONCReTE project will work under the hypothesis that tumour-associated ncRNAs may serve as targets for cancer therapy. cONCReTE will identify ncRNAs with a role in tumour biology. The key objective is to unveil novel functional links between ncRNAs and oncogenic pathways by monitoring their accumulation and impact in various cancer cell types. Project results will pave the way for the development of ncRNA-based therapeutics against cancer.
Objective
Non-codingRNAs (ncRNAs) represent a large class of molecules that in concert regulate the expression of genes involved in the key pathways governing cancer development and progression. They represent ideal targets for personalized cancer therapies and if appropriately designed they can provide specific, non-toxic and effective therapeutic tools. The identification of novel therapeutic ncRNAs and the design of their appropriate formulation is a key aspect for their clinical applicability. RISE- cONCReTE aims to form an international and inter-sectoral network of organizations working on a joint research programme on the development of a safe ncRNA-based drug. RISE- cONCReTE teams up experts in the fields of Molecular Oncology, Epigenetics, Signal transduction, Animal models, Therapeutic delivery and Imaging, business, and education. The participants will exchange skills, knowledge and staff members that will be exposed to synergetic and complementary research environments. RISE- cONCReTE will undertake an integrated approach to reveal novels functional links between ncRNAs and oncogenic pathways. We will: a) characterize novel classes of tumor-associated ncRNAs; b) investigate the impact of ncRNAs on key aspects of tumor cell biology; c) develop cargoes (e.g. aptamers) for delivering therapeutic ncRNA derivatives into specific cancer cell types. By using innovative in vivo imaging tools, we will monitor the accumulation of target ncRNAs in cancer cells and evaluate their biological efficacy in inhibiting the growth and spreading of malignant tumors. The resulting approaches will provide stable and effective tools thus potentially improving the quality of life (QOL) of the cancer patients. Further, the joint research and training programme of RISE- cONCReTE will be performed in academic institutions and SME to provide a unique interdisciplinary platform for scientists with a significant contribution to EU competitiveness.
Fields of science
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Programme(s)
Coordinator
80138 Napoli
Italy
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Participants (16)
6020 Innsbruck
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53113 Bonn
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08916 Badalona
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3015 GD Rotterdam
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400012 Cluj-Napoca
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00185 Roma
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80539 MUNCHEN
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31008 Pamplona
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2573 HT 's-Gravenhage (Den Haag)
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
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07745 Jena
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08907 Hospitalet De Llobregat
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
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67659 Kaiserslautern
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
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B72 1SD Sutton Coldfield
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84036 Landshut
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
80122 Napoli
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Participation ended
00074 Nemi
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