Project description
Monocytes as trojan horses of cancer treatment
Nanoparticles are increasingly important in cancer care because they can combine imaging and therapy on a single platform. However, current designs struggle with poor tissue penetration and limited circulation time. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the MOAN project proposes magneto-opto-acoustic nanoparticles (MOANs) delivered by monocytes acting as trojan horses. MOANs can convert magnetic fields and light into amplified ultrasound signals which leads to enhanced imaging contrast and therapeutic outcome. By incorporating MOANs into monocytes, researchers aim to improve nanoparticle circulation and tumour penetration. The project will also develop new devices to study MOANs in vitro and in vivo, advancing their theranostic potential.
Objective
Nanoparticles are gaining increased biomedical relevance in cancer applications due to their theranostic capacity by integrating in a single entity imaging contrast in different biomedical techniques and local therapeutic action. However, current theranostic nanostructures suffer from limited contrast intensity, reduced imaging and therapy depth, and poor circulation time and penetration into solid tumors.
To overcome such limitations, novel magneto-opto-acoustic nanodevices (MOANs) loaded into monocytes, as Trojan Horses, are proposed in this project. The MOANs will be composed of mechanically resonant micro/nano-plates with resonance in the ultrasound biomedical window (1-10 MHz), merging magnetostrictive and photothermal bimetallic properties. As a result, alternating magnetic fields and intensity modulated near infrared light beams at the resonant frequency will turn MOANs into amplified ultrasound sources, as new contrast agents. Moreover, their magnetic/optical properties will combine photothermal and magneto-mechanical therapies. The MOANs loaded monocytes will enable the following in progress in Theranostics: i) enhanced circulation time and penetration in solid tumors given by the innate properties of monocytes, ii) amplified ultrasound contrast in superficial and deep tissues with lower intensity magnetic field or light intensity, and iii) efficient magneto-mechanical and photothermal local therapy inside tumors. To demonstrate the biomedical potential in vitro and in vitro, a new MOA scanning microscope and a compact MOA device will be developed.
This project will allow me to deepen my multidisciplinary expertise in areas such as microfabrication, magneto/opto-mechanical effects, or in vitro and in vivo assays. Leveraging my existing experience in optical and magneto-optic device development and biofunctionalization techniques, the MOAN project will enable me achieving the scientific maturity necessary to pursue an independent research career.
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 optics microscopy
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
- engineering and technology nanotechnology nano-materials
- natural sciences physical sciences acoustics ultrasound
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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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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
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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
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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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28006 Madrid
Spain
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