Project description
Microscopic soft robots for precise brain therapy
Precisely delivering drugs to hard-to-reach areas such as the brain is still a significant medical challenge. Microsurgery and endoscopy are invasive and risky. In contrast, systemic treatments largely fail to target the affected tissues well enough, leading to their ineffectiveness. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the Micro Soft Robots project is developing microscopic soft robots (20-100 micrometres in size), composed of shape-memory polymers coupled with magnetic nanoparticles. These tiny devices could then be remotely steered through the blood vessels of the brain using magnetic fields, enabling them to deliver therapeutic molecules very precisely, exactly where they are needed.
Objective
Current drug delivery methods often struggle with targeting hard-to-reach areas within the body, such as the brain. Traditional approaches, including endoscopic and surgical methods, are invasive, carry considerable risks, and face significant accessibility challenges. Systemic-based targeted drug delivery methods, like chemotherapeutics and targeted gene therapies, frequently fail to accurately reach and penetrate the desired tissues. There is a pressing need for innovative and effective techniques that enhance the precision and therapeutic efficacy of drug delivery, ultimately improving treatment outcomes and reducing risks.
This project seeks to develop micro-scale magnetic and shape-memory soft robots for diagnostic and treatment applications within the brain's vascular system. These soft robots, measuring between 20 to 100µm, will be fabricated through additive manufacturing (AM) using a shape memory (SM) polymer embedded with magnetic nanoparticles (MP). This composition enables remote-controlled movement and actuation via external magnetic fields.
Designed to deliver therapeutic molecules, these robots will allow for the precise release of substances such as drugs directly at the target site, significantly enhancing their effectiveness. Testing will be conducted using microfluidic in vitro models. In the near future, drug delivery to hard-to-reach regions could be as straightforward as performing a minor intravenous injection and spending a few minutes in a device similar to an X-ray machine.
The knowledge and experience gained from this project will be crucial for the fellow to establishing a new research group, further enhancing the capabilities of soft robots for additional medical applications like blood clot retrieval and biopsy, thereby driving continuous innovation in healthcare technology.
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
- 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-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.
56127 Pisa
Italy
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.