The use of mycorrhizal fungi in phytoremediation projects

Objective

Gene transfer by liposome-encapsulated DNA has several important advantages over other methods of gene transfer.
1) The method is safe.
2) There is no limit to the encapsulated expression vector size or conformation.
3) The liposomes are non-toxic and non-immunogenic and therefore can be injected repeatedly. Previous studies done by some of the participants indicated that liposomes-encapsulated DNA can mediate gene transfer into internal organs - mainly the liver and lungs, following intravenous injection, and gene transfer into the liver during operation procedure therapy applications will be developed toward clinical practice: A)Gene therapy of liver and lung cancer by IL-2 and interferon gamma-gene transfer (to induce immune reaction against the cancer cells) and combination of chemotherapy and cytokine gene transfer. B)Induction of tolerance to liver allograft by liposome mediated gene transfer of CTLA4-lg (which blocks the activation of the T lymphocytes and therefore the graft rejection into the transplanted liver following the transplantation). C)DNA vaccination against hepatitis C virus by liposome-mediated gene transfer of viral genes into the liver. In each of these applications, local and transient expression of the transferred gene is an advantage since biological activity can be obtained without serious side effects that high level of systemic expression might cause.

Fields of science

• medical and health sciences › medical biotechnology › genetic engineering › gene therapy
• natural sciences › biological sciences › genetics › DNA
• medical and health sciences › clinical medicine › oncology › lung cancer
• medical and health sciences › health sciences › infectious diseases
• medical and health sciences › clinical medicine › transplantation

Programme(s)

• FP5-LIFE QUALITY - Specific Programme for research, technological development and demonstration on "Quality of life and management of living resources", 1998-2002

Topic(s)

• 1.1.1.-3. - Key action The "Cell factory"

Call for proposal

Data not available

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

Universität Köln

Address

Albert Magnus Platz 1
50923 Köln
Germany

Participants (8)

CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE

France

Address

Rue Notre Dame Des Pauvres 17
54501 Vandoeuvre-les-nancy

JAGIELLONIAN UNIVERSITY

Poland

Address

Golebia 24
31 007 Krakow

LIMBURGS UNIVERSITAIR CENTRUM

Belgium

Address

Wetenschapspark 1
3590 Diepenbeek

PHYTOBACTER GMBH

Germany

Address

Dorfstrasse 39
17291 Wallmow

PIUS FLORIS BOOMVERZORGING VUGHT BV

Netherlands

Address

Baarzenstraat 17
5262 GD Vught

RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR SOIL SCIENCE AND AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY - HUNGARIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

Hungary

Address

15,herman Otto Ut 15
1022 Budapest

ROBIN PEPINIERES EARL

France

Address

Le Village
05500 Saint Laurent Du Cros

TRITON UMWELTSCHUTZ GMBH

Germany

Address

Zoerbiger Strasse 24/25
6749 Bitterfeld