Project description
Lighting the way to better cardiovascular health
According to the World Health Organisation, cardiovascular diseases are the number one cause of death globally, claiming millions of lives every year. However, despite significant progress in prevention, diagnosis and treatment, we have yet to see a notable improvement in overall outcomes. The EU-funded LADENTHER project is working to change that by developing multicomponent nanoparticles with unique properties that can be activated with non-invasive radiation. Actions are targeted towards the dissolution of blood clots and cholesterol, both of which can cause circulatory problems and heart attacks, and the recovery of fatigued heart muscle. Successful in vitro studies of the nano-phototherapy approach are expected to pave the way for in vivo trials.
Objective
The cardiovascular diseases are among most serious health problems of modern human society. Despite various advanced therapeutic, pharmaceutic and surgical methods of their treatment, significant improvement of human health has not been reached yet due to insufficient efficiency of these methods, side effects, soreness and long recovery. Hence, searching for novel approaches for both diagnostics and treatment of the diseases is of highest importance.
This proposal will explore a new approach based on combining latest achievements in laser- and nano-technologies. Contamination-free multi-component nanoparticles with novel properties (efficient light absorption at specific wavelength ranges, enhanced photoluminescence for detection, minimal cytotoxicity and biocompatibility, etc.) will be synthesized by ultrafast laser irradiation of materials in aqueous environment. They will be tested as nanotools for treating actions on biological objects (model systems provided by biologists) for dissolving thrombus and cholesterol and for fatigued muscles recovery. The nanoparticles will be injected to the model systems (simulating problematic blood vessels and overexpressed muscles) and activated by ultrafast lasers tunable in mid-IR spectral range to make laser action gentle but effective with a deep penetration to bio-tissues. Irradiation will be performed in single- and multicolor modes to inspect capabilities for nanoparticle activation. The results of nano-phototherapy will be analyzed with assessment of its efficiency. The detailed protocols of nano-phototherapy will be prepared to continue these studies with biologists in-vivo after the project implementation. Outcomes of this proposal will bring new knowledge on the prospects of non-invasive therapy of cardiovascular problems that will have a positive impact on both fundamental science and bio-medicine in the European area. Implementation of this research will enable me to become a recognized expert in the field.
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Funding Scheme
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)Coordinator
182 21 Praha 8
Czechia