Project description
Tracking nanoparticles inside cells
Nanoparticles are tiny structures that can be engineered to carry drugs and deliver them directly to cells, offering treatment precision and reduced side effects. However, translating nanoparticles to clinical use has proven difficult, largely because conventional methods cannot monitor how individual particles behave and release their cargo once inside cells. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the NANOTRACK project aims to develop nanoparticles with fluorescent labels compatible with super-resolution microscopy. This allows direct tracking of individual particles as they travel through and degrade within cells. By revealing the precise dynamics of drug release, the project will provide fundamental insights to guide the rational design of more effective and clinically translatable nanomedicines.
Objective
Nanomedicine is a growing field that has sought to revolutionize disease diagnosis and treatment, but limitations in nanoparticle characterization under biologically relevant conditions have greatly hampered their translation to clinic and patients. Increased understanding of the fate of the nanoparticle is crucial, as current analytical methods cannot provide precise information about how individual nanoparticles release their drugs once inside the cell. Through this fellowship, the combined expertise of the researcher and the supervisor will allow for the synthesis and characterization of various clinically significant polymer nanomaterials. Using a controlled polymerization method, we can ensure uniform assembly, morphology and dispersity of our nanoparticles which is of utmost importance for reducing biological experimental variance. Finally, the main goal of this project is to develop new methods to allow for direct particle tracking as it encounters, endocytoses, and degrades within the cell. This will be done by integrating fluorescent dyes compatible with super-resolution microscopy within the polymer backbone. The knowledge gained surrounding particle disassembly, and the details of cargo release will allow for improved rational design of nanoparticles for future studies, making their chances of reaching and succeeding in clinical trials much higher.
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
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology nanomedicine
- 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-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-2025-PF
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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.