Project description
Microrobots for sustainable and cost-effective tumour therapeutic action
Microrobots are microscopic devices that perform therapeutic actions when guided towards tumours. Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) are non-pathogenic aquatic microorganisms that can synthesise intracellular magnetite nanoparticles and serve as microrobots for cancer theranostics. They are highly motile, prefer low oxygen conditions. Additionally, they can be externally guided and actuated by magnetic fields due to their chain of magnetosomes. The MSCA-funded DroneMTB project aims to enhance MTB’s therapeutic capabilities by genetically engineering them to express immunotherapy mediators on the surface of magnetosomes. The project aims to use the modified MTB to deliver these magnetosomes to the tumour microenvironment, resulting in a more sustainable and cost-effective approach than chemical-based methods.
Objective
Given the prevalence of cancer, it is of utmost importance to develop new strategies to treat it. One of the most ambitious approaches is the use of microrobots, self-propelled microscopic devices capable of propelling themselves and being guided towards tumours where they can then effectuate a therapeutic action. Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) are non-pathogenic aquatic microorganisms that synthesize intracellular magnetite nanoparticles within organelles called magnetosomes, and are ideal candidates to serve as microrobots for cancer theranostics. Suitably, they are highly motile, have preference for low oxygen conditions such as the inside of tumours, and can be externally guided, detected, and actuated by magnetic fields thanks to their chain of magnetosomes.
In this project I propose a new approach to boost the therapeutic abilities of MTB by genetically engineering MTB to express immunotherapy-mediators on the surface of magnetosomes, and to create a triggered-release mechanisms to deliver these magnetosomes within the tumour microenvironment. This strategy, yet to be exploited, is more sustainable and cost-effective than the chemical-based approaches proposed to date. Specifically, new generations of MTB will maintain the genetic modifications without further need of surface modification or therapeutic loading steps. The perfomance and effectiveness of genetically modified MTB to swim towards and release the immunotherapy-mediating magnetosomes will be tested in vitro in 3D cancer cell models placed within microfluidic devices to mimic tumours and surrounding vasculature.
DroneMTB is a highly interdisciplinary project that combines methods from materials science, microbiology, genetic engineering, biochemistry, microfluidics, microscopy, and cell biology. After carrying out the project I will have acquired necessary skills to become an independent scientist and to lead research projects in the field of biomaterials and biomedical applications.
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 physical sciences classical mechanics fluid mechanics microfluidics
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology bacteriology
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
- engineering and technology industrial biotechnology biomaterials
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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)
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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-2023-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.
75015 Paris
France
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.