Project description
Metal-organic polyhedra could enable combined gene-chemotherapy treatment
Gene-silencing therapies using small interfering RNA (siRNA) to inhibit the production of harmful proteins are a promising targeted cancer treatment. They face challenges with the current siRNA delivery system in which the genetic material is densely arranged on the surface of nanoscale hollow-cored spherical structures (spherical nucleic acids (SNAs)). With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the siRNA-MOPs project aims to design molecularly defined SNAs using metal-organic polyhedra, or MOPs. These closed cage-like structures with well-defined internal cavities offer greater structural precision, simpler synthesis routes and greater safety. Combining this system with drug encapsulation could enable the project to develop a gene-chemotherapy approach for treating glioblastoma, a particularly aggressive brain cancer.
Objective
The complexity of cancer arises from its ability to manifest in numerous ways. Therefore, it is one of the most significant health challenges today, with the WHO reporting 20 million new cases and 9.7 million deaths in 2022. Traditional treatments, such as surgery and chemotherapy, have important collateral damages causing severe side effects because of their lack of specificity. Gene therapy, particularly RNA interference (RNAi) using small interfering RNA (siRNA), has emerged as a targeted approach that consists of silencing oncogene expression, causing the subsequent inhibition of the production of harmful proteins. However, delivering siRNA to cells remains a challenge due to its poor cell membrane transfection and rapid degradation. To overcome these issues, spherical nucleic acids (SNAs), defined as nanoscale constructs in which nucleic acids are densely packed and highly oriented on the surface of spherical core, were postulated as effective carriers. Unfortunately, current nanosized cores face and optimization hurdles due to, lack of structural definition, complexity on synthetic procedures and toxicity.
In response, I propose the development of molecular SNAs. The novelty of this proposal entails the use of Metal-Organic Polyhedra (MOPs) as molecularly defined hollow core for SNAs. Particularly, the project siRNA-MOPs aims to combine gene delivery and drug encapsulation in a single delivery system and, ultimately, apply this gene chemotherapy approach to glioblastoma treatment.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules nucleic acids
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology genetic engineering gene therapy
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine surgery
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
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)
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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-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.
08193 BELLATERRA (BARCELONA)
Spain
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.