Project description
Bioprinted tumour models for studying immune cell trafficking
For cancer immunotherapy to work, immune cells, especially T cells, must successfully reach and penetrate solid tumours. However, the irregular architecture and dysfunctional nature of tumour vasculature pose a significant barrier to effective treatment. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the VASPRINT project aims to investigate how the geometry of blood vessels influences T cell trafficking within tumours. Researchers will combine advanced bioprinting and self-assembly techniques to fabricate in vitro tumour models that replicate the complex, multi-level structure of real tumour vasculature. By elucidating the relationship between vessel structure and immune cell movement, researchers will deepen our understanding of tumour immunology and support the development of more effective immunotherapies.
Objective
Cancer is a global challenge. Addressing this, the EU Mission on Cancer aims to improve the lives of >3 million people by 2030. To achieve this goal requires not only new treatments, but also new in vitro platforms to study how their efficacy can be maximised. Cancer immunotherapy has been a promising treatment for certain haematological cancers, but is encountering tremendous challenges when used for solid cancers. One of the main reasons is that tumours are often protected by an immunosuppressive microenvironment that impedes the delivery and infiltration of immune cells, such as T cells. Specifically, the tumour vasculature is both structurally and functionally abnormal, which interrupts the transport of therapeutic T cells to tumour sites. This project (VASPRINT) will fabricate tumour models containing different vascular architectures. To this end, VASPRINT will combine top-down bioprinting with bottom-up self-assembly methods to create hierarchical vascular networks. VASPRINT will employ analytical tools from graph theory and fractal geometry to gain a quantitative understanding of the vascular structures. The engineered tissue model will be used to address a key question: how does tumour vascular geometry influence T cell trafficking? Despite advancements, the specific effects of vascular geometry on T cell trafficking remain poorly understood. This proposal includes learning bioprinting from the Associated Partner (Harvard University), as well as fractal analysis and modelling from the Beneficiary (University College London). In return, the Researcher will contribute his expertise in the algorithmic design of biomaterial structures (outgoing phase) and developing advanced tumour models for T cell therapy research (return phase). This project aims to advance the scientific understanding of tumour vasculature in the context of immuno-oncology, generating useful insights for therapy development, ultimately contributing to the EU Mission on Cancer.
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.
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
- natural sciences mathematics pure mathematics geometry
- medical and health sciences basic medicine immunology immunotherapy
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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)
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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-GF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global 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-2024-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.
WC1E 6BT London
United Kingdom
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.