Objective Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory immune-mediated demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS), which affects 700,000 people in Europe, with total annual healthcare costs of over €27.3 billion. Current available treatments for progressive MS have modest effects on relapse symptoms but do not modify disease progression. Critically there are currently no licensed disease-modifying treatments for progressive MS. My strategy will represent a disease modifying treatment for progressive MS. I will fabricate and optimize the loading and release profile of the an anti-TNFR1 antibody from ROS-responsive collagen spheres, I will assess the biocompatibility, bioactivity, and neuroprotective effect of the anti-TNFR1 antibody functionalized ROS-responsive collagen hollow spheres in organotypic cerebral slice cultures. I will evaluate the efficacy of the anti-TNFR1 multifunctional spheres against chronic neurodegenerative pathology in a preclinical model of progressive MS that mimics the pathology seen in progressive MS patients. Progress to completion will be reviewed by a Research and Professional Development Plan which will provide both discipline-specific and complementary technical training and generic and complementary transferable skills training (intellectual property, leadership skills, motivation skills, communication skills, regulatory affairs, clinical trial design, reimbursement strategies, medical device evaluation and regulatory affairs). I will benefit from Prof Pandit’s and Dr John O’Dea’s (Crospon Limited) (inter-sectorial secondment) international collaborative network in the field of neurodegenerative diseases. This training will facilitate me to achieve my future career goals of achieving a position of professional maturity, diversity and independence by establishing my own research group at a leading European academic institution and enable me to translate innovative therapeutic interventions to the clinic setting. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesneurobiologymedical and health sciencesbasic medicineneurologymultiple sclerosismedical and health sciencesbasic medicinepathologyengineering and technologyindustrial biotechnologybiomaterials Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2017 - Individual Fellowships Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2017 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF Coordinator UNIVERSITY OF GALWAY Net EU contribution € 175 866,00 Address UNIVERSITY ROAD H91 Galway Ireland See on map Region Ireland Northern and Western West 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 € 175 866,00
