Objective
Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are promising for RNA delivery, yet their effectiveness is hindered by endosomal entrapment post cellular uptake, limiting their therapeutic potential. The challenge lies in the inadequate understanding of the endosomal escape mechanism. This project aims to comprehensively replicate endosomal escape in vitro, employing three objectives to explore LNP interactions with membranes and RNA translocation. Objective 1 focuses on understanding the impact of pH and LNP formulation on LNP/membrane interactions. Employing supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) mimicking endosomal membranes, the binding and fusion rates of distinct LNP formulations will be examined using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy. This will highlight key factors influencing these interactions, which constitute the initial step of endosomal escape. Objective 2 aims to reconstitute RNA translocation across endosomal membranes using giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs). These vesicles simulate endosomal conditions, enabling the visualisation of LNP-loaded RNA translocation across vesicle membranes via spinning disk microscopy and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. This will offer direct evidence of the success of the second step of endosomal escape and insights into how various LNP formulations react to diverse pH conditions. Objective 3 introduces novel bifunctional phospholipids (BPs) into LNP formulations to facilitate visualising LNP fusion with endosomes in live cells through confocal microscopy. This technique also permits the visualisation of RNA release and subsequent protein expression. By addressing the endosomal escape challenge through innovative in vitro and cellular models, this project aims to unravel the complexities of LNP interactions with cellular barriers. The findings have the potential to enhance LNP design, optimising endosomal escape mechanisms and ultimately improving their efficacy in gene delivery 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 biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy confocal microscopy
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics RNA
- engineering and technology nanotechnology nano-materials
- natural sciences physical sciences optics spectroscopy
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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-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.
80539 MUNCHEN
Germany
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.