Project description
Engineering safer, smarter gene therapies
Gene therapy has transformed medicine, offering hope for treating genetic and acquired diseases. However, delivering these therapies safely and effectively remains a major hurdle. The EU-funded HyPlex project is tackling this challenge by developing advanced polymeric nanovectors. These tiny carriers transport therapeutic genes to cells with greater stability and lower toxicity. By creating hybrid polylysine/polyacrylate nanogels and carefully adjusting their chemical properties, HyPlex aims to improve how genes are loaded, delivered, and absorbed by cells. The project will share its findings with the public, inspiring the next generation of scientists and encouraging young women to explore careers in research.
Objective
Gene therapy has long been seen as a promising solution to unmet clinical needs and the licencing of gene therapy SARS-CoV-2
vaccines has provided a flavour of the technology’s potential. However, gene therapy still faces significant challenges in clinical and
commercial translation including the need for effective and safe delivery vectors. Polymeric nanoparticles offer great flexibility in
gene vectors design, improved stability and easier scale-up of production compared to lipid nanoparticles but often suffer from
cytotoxicity and underperformance in vivo. The goal of HyPlex is to develop the next generation polymeric nanovectors which can easily be functionalised to further improve delivery efficacy. The project will develop novel chemistry to achieve polylysine/polyacrylate hybrid nanogels. Functionalisation of nanogels will be demonstrated by the introduction of mannose, a common cell binding motive as well as diethylene glycol ethyl ether arylate to optimise the hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance. In an interdisciplinary approach gene loading and cell transfection will be studied up to in vitro level. The project results will be exploited as part of an ongoing commercialisation initiative at RCSI, which will provide the applicant with a unique experience in research translation and commercialisation. The high-level science is complemented by bespoke training activities, which will significantly advance the career opportunities of the applicant. Project results will be communicated to peers as well as the public with specific focus on encouraging female secondary school pupils to take up scientific careers.
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 chemical sciences polymer sciences
- medical and health sciences health sciences infectious diseases viral diseases RNA viruses coronaviruses
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy pharmaceutical drugs vaccines
- engineering and technology nanotechnology nano-materials
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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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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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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) HORIZON-MSCA-2022-PF-01
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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.
D02 YN77 DUBLIN 2
Ireland
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.