Objective Mechanical forces transmitted through specific molecular bonds drive biological function, and their understanding and control hold an uncharted potential in oncology, regenerative medicine and biomaterial design. However, this potential has not been realised, because it requires developing and integrating disparate technologies to measure and manipulate mechanical and adhesive properties from the nanometre to the metre scale. We propose to address this challenge by building an interdisciplinary research community with the aim of understanding and controlling cellular mechanics from the molecular to the organism scale. At the nanometric molecular level, we will develop cellular microenvironments enabled by peptidomimetics of cell-cell and cell-matrix ligands, with defined mechanical and adhesive properties that we will dynamically control in time and space trough photo-activation. The properties under force of the molecular bonds involved will be characterized using single-molecule atomic force microscopy and magnetic tweezers. At the cell-to-organ scale, we will combine controlled microenvironments and interfering strategies with the development of techniques to measure and control mechanical forces and adhesion in cells and tissues, and to evaluate their biological response. At the organism scale, we will establish how cellular mechanics can be controlled, by targeting specific adhesive interactions, to impair or abrogate breast tumour progression in a mouse model. At all stages and scales of the project, we will integrate experimental data with multi-scale computational modelling to establish the rules driving biological response to mechanics and adhesion. With this approach, we aim to develop specific therapeutic approaches beyond the current paradigm in breast cancer treatment. Beyond breast cancer, the general principles targeted by our technology will have high applicability in oncology, regenerative medicine and biomaterials. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsnatural sciencesbiological sciencescell biologynatural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsmicroscopymedical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncologybreast cancernatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiophysics Keywords mechanobiology biophysics integrins cadherins chemical biology AFM nanotechnology hydrogels traction force microscopy photo-activation breast cancer multi scale modelling single molecule Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.2. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Future and Emerging Technologies (FET) Main Programme H2020-EU.1.2.2. - FET Proactive Topic(s) FETPROACT-01-2016 - FET Proactive: emerging themes and communities Call for proposal H2020-FETPROACT-2016-2017 See other projects for this call Sub call FETPROACT-2016 Funding Scheme RIA - Research and Innovation action Coordinator FUNDACIO INSTITUT DE BIOENGINYERIA DE CATALUNYA Net EU contribution € 1 952 419,59 Address CARRER BALDIRI REIXAC PLANTA 2A 10-12 08028 Barcelona Spain See on map Region Este Cataluña Barcelona Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 1 952 419,59 Participants (6) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all UNIVERSITAT POLITECNICA DE CATALUNYA Spain Net EU contribution € 638 000,00 Address CALLE JORDI GIRONA 31 08034 Barcelona See on map Region Este Cataluña Barcelona Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 638 000,00 LEIBNIZ-INSTITUT FUER NEUE MATERIALIEN GEMEINNUETZIGE GMBH Germany Net EU contribution € 829 567,32 Address CAMPUS D2 2 66123 Saarbruecken See on map Region Saarland Saarland Regionalverband Saarbrücken Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 829 567,32 KING'S COLLEGE LONDON United Kingdom Net EU contribution € 706 715,00 Address STRAND WC2R 2LS London See on map Region London Inner London — West Westminster Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 706 715,00 UNIVERSITAIR MEDISCH CENTRUM UTRECHT Netherlands Net EU contribution € 2 424 950,00 Address HEIDELBERGLAAN 100 3584 CX Utrecht See on map Region West-Nederland Utrecht Utrecht Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 2 424 950,00 MIND THE BYTE SL Participation ended Spain Net EU contribution € 127 844,16 Address CALLE MANSO 76 PRINCIPAL 1 08015 Barcelona See on map SME The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed. Yes Region Este Cataluña Barcelona Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 127 844,16 NOVIOCELL BV Participation ended Netherlands Net EU contribution € 455 432,68 Address KLOOSTERSTRAAT 9 RE1131 5349 AB Oss See on map SME The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed. Yes Region Zuid-Nederland Noord-Brabant Noordoost-Noord-Brabant Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 455 432,68