Project description
A new era for biomanufacturing processes
Adhesion on extracellular matrix-based substrates is an integral part of adherent cell culture and central to the manufacturing of complex biotherapeutics. However, existing solid substrates are costly and difficult to process at large scale. To address this problem, the EU-funded ProBioFac project proposes to use emulsion-based protein nanosheets as substrates to support cells in biomanufacturing processes. Emulsions are widely used to produce fine chemicals, drugs and nanomaterials. Researchers will test the biocompatibility of these emulsion substrates with commercial bioreactors and promote their use for the production of biotherapeutics such as vaccines.
Objective
The large scale expansion of adherent cells, which underpins the production of stem cells for regenerative medicine and the manufacturing of complex biotherapeutics (e.g. exosomes and vaccines) remains challenging and a key hurdle to the accessibility of associated therapies. Indeed, the expansion of adherent stem cells and adherent cell lines for bioproduction relies on culture on solid microcarriers that remain difficult to process and significantly add to costs. Cell adhesion to solid substrates and associated mechanotransduction is thought to be essential to mediate key processes regulating the production of biotherapeutics, such as exosome secretion and protein glycosylation. However, we recently demonstrated that liquid substrates, such as emulsion microdroplets, can support cell adhesion and promote the retention of a normal adherent phenotype. We showed that this process is mediated by the self-assembly of mechanically strong protein nanosheets at corresponding liquid-liquid interfaces. This project will demonstrate the scale up of emulsion-based biomanufacturing platforms. We will scale up (L scale) bio-emulsions based on protein nanosheets that promote cell adhesion and display suitable interfacial mechanics, from affordable protein sources. We will demonstrate the compatibility of such systems with bioreactors routinely used in the field, for the scale up of adherent stem cells production, and that of adherent cell lines for biotherapeutics production (exosomes and vaccines). We will establish further IP and a commercialisation strategy with identified partners to translate our technology in the field of biomanufacturing. We propose that bio-emulsions for the culture of adherent cells will bring a step change to the field of biomanufacturing, enabling to borrow concepts and processes from the field of chemical engineering, in which biphasic liquid-liquid systems and emulsions have revolutionised the production of fine chemicals, drugs and nanomaterials.
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.
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- natural sciences biological sciences cell biology
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology cells technologies stem cells
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy pharmaceutical drugs vaccines
- engineering and technology chemical engineering
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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.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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.
ERC-POC - Proof of Concept Grant
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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) ERC-2020-PoC
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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.
E1 4NS LONDON
United Kingdom
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.