Nanoparticle probes for photoacoustic tracking of stem cell

Objective

Better understanding on stem cell tracking is required before regenerative medicines therapies (RMTs) can be used. However, there is not a single molecular imaging technology capable of providing the breadth of information required. For instance, while MRI offers excellent spatial resolution, sensitivity is low, whereas for SPECT/PET, the converse is true.
In this context, the combination of nanotechnology and new imaging techniques such as photoacoustic imaging (PAI) emerge as potential disruptive technology. Biocompatible nanoprobes can be rationally designed to label specific cell without interfering with biological parameters such as differentiation or metabolic processes but improving the contrast of the imaging technique. Gold nanorods and more complex structures such as hollow nanoparticle or hybrids show special optical properties that enable their use as contrast agents for PAI achieving then enough sensitivity to monitor single cells. Moreover, these optical properties are easily tunable and can be adjusted to perform a multiple real time labelling thanks to the rapid acquisition and the extremely high resolution of PAI. Thus, the combination of these two technologies together will provide a non-invasive, long term, in vivo cell tracking of stem cell in models of kidney injury already developed and validated. Thus, the amelioration of fibrosis and the recovery of renal function amongst other will be assessed together with the safety studies that will include biodistribution, tumourigenesis, inflammation, systemic toxicity, etc. All together will contribute to establish efficacy and safety of RMTs.

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.

• medical and health sciences medical biotechnology cells technologies stem cells
• engineering and technology nanotechnology nano-materials

Programme(s)

Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.

• FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013)

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.

• FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IEF - Marie-Curie Action: "Intra-European fellowships for career development"

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IEF
See other projects for this call

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.

MC-IEF - Intra-European Fellowships (IEF)

Coordinator