Our intention was speeding up the formulation of NPs, to reveal and treat high mortality human pathologies, so contributing to new technologies, based on NPs for mRNA delivery and gene therapy, with positive effects on the pharma-industry economy and social general well-being in the European area.
In the project we developed nano-assembling strategies ahead the present scenario. A set of branched, dendrimer layer-by-layer and cyclic polymer formulations, and lipid-based coats, and their combination in heterogenous ways, was under the focus of a large interdisciplinary scientist’s pool. This created a unique environment in itself. The in-depth functional study of the corona provided brand new information on unexcepted agonists of the human body which could direct NPs efficacy. We found compelling evidence of the ability of innate soluble and membrane bound agonists to bind Nanomaterial Associated Molecular Patterns (NAMPs) , and highlighted in specific cases the relevance of evaluating their different expression and specificity in preclinical models (muse and pig ) vs humans, providing tentative guide line to minimize the consequent possible translation failures connected to species-specific differences.
We characterised the nanoparticles candidates with best characteristics (coats, antigenicity and adjutancy) in vivo.
We obtain: 1) long-circulating stealth nanosystems outperforming the PEG-based, with interesting organ specific tropism. 2) nano-vaccine with strong neoplastic antigen display and entering Antigen Presenting Cells capture, to increase “antitumor vaccination” efficacy. TAM targetting is expected to implement double anti-tumor strategies.
We posed the base for the optimal progress of future project-works and career of young researchers in both industry/private and academic/public sectors in the European area.
We offered a Business School Class accompanying the rest of the project. ESRs benefited from the contact with R&Ds local and network-wide.
An intersectoral environment was achieved, through the implementation of foreseen actions, Intersectoral stage and collaborations. The parallel interdisciplinary and intersectoral formation of young researchers in this expanding technology, will contribute to the industrial and economic progress of the European area.
Articulated communication instruments and the outreach actions performed different publics and stake-holders will improve the awareness of society and next generations on the relevance of science and nanomedicine for socio-economic progress and human health. This will strengthen the possibility to grow new generations of scientists and businesswomen/men having a major understanding of science knowledge-based human progress.
Tens of papers have been published or are in an incubation stage. Two patent applications stemmed from our project so far.