Project description
Controlling nanoparticle light emission modes enables two functions in one particle
The ability to integrate diagnosis with therapy (theranostics) offers significant advantages in terms of patient comfort, costs and diagnostic and treatment time. For example, during a routine colonoscopy, a polyp encountered using a fibre-optic colonoscope can be removed during the same procedure by simply running a small wire loop through the colonoscope to sever the polyp using an electric current. Nanoparticles (NPs) are uniquely qualified to enable theranostics with single particles. Rare-earth NPs can emit light in response to near-infrared stimulation that is shifted towards either longer wavelengths or shorter ones. However, it is currently not possible to control the emission modes. The EU-funded MONOCLE project is on a mission to change that, paving the way for innovative theranostics and new rare-earth NP architectures for a variety of applications that rely on luminescent materials.
Objective
Optical theranostic (diagnostic + therapy) techniques are low-cost, safe, and constitute a next big leap in the betterment of human healthcare. In that regard, luminescent nanoparticles (NPs) are poised to become the multifunctional instruments of personalized medicine. However, present-day theranostic NPs provide no control over their arsenal of capabilities – their competences are often entangled so that diagnostics cannot be done without therapy. In the same way that surgeons do not cut before ascertaining what and where to cut, so do light-responsive nanoparticles must have the flexibility to switch between their imaging/sensing and therapeutic modalities at-will. Rare-earth NPs (RENPs) are endowed with downshifting (Stokes) and upconversion (anti-Stokes) luminescence stimulated by near-infrared light; thus, RENPs are designed for non-invasive deep-tissue optical imaging (to diagnose) and in-situ mediation of photochemical processes (to treat). As such, RENPs are just the right candidates to decouple therapy from diagnostics, while preserving both in a single theranostic NP. With MONOCLE, I propose a tangible and timely development of RENPs with built-in control over their different emission modes. Capitalizing on the modular design of RENPs in unison with temporally modulated laser excitation, I intend to separate downshifting and upconversion processes creating truly-multifunctional theranostic RENPs (TMTs). In essence, TMTs are destined to apply “measure twice and cut once” philosophy – which constitutes benign examination and diagnosis of the target, with in-situ treatment available on-demand. Successful development of TMTs is projected to have far-reaching implications in safe and selective use of light-controlled nanomedicines. Furthermore, the multidisciplinary nature of this project is anticipated to foster new RENP architectures and alternative excitation pathways, decisively advancing not only biomedical but also luminescent materials science research.
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.
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology nanomedicine
- medical and health sciences health sciences personalized medicine
- engineering and technology nanotechnology nano-materials
- natural sciences physical sciences optics laser physics
- humanities philosophy, ethics and religion philosophy
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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.
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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 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)
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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-2019
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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.
28049 MADRID
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.