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H2020Doctoral network2018–2022

NANOSTEM · New nanomaterials for neural stem cells drug delivery

Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2018-06-01 → 2022-05-31
EU contribution
€3,590,355
Participants
14
Scheme
MSCA-ITN

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.

Results in brief

New nanomaterials for neural stem cells drug delivery

Brain conditions such as neurodegenerative diseases, stroke, and traumatic injuries are a significant burden in modern society. Multiple therapeutic approaches are being investigated, however, a key limitation is the permeation of the blood-brain barrier. A very interesting approach is based on the use of neuro stem cells available within the brain and on the delivery of active therapeutic agents to specifically promote proliferation and differentiation. The NANOSTEM project has studied the use of nanomaterials for the delivery of active drugs to control the biological activity of neuronal stem cells. The project has focused on three main targets: (i) synthesis of the nanomaterials and uploading of the therapeutics; (ii) evaluation of the permeation and efficacy of the formulations against in vitro model systems; (iii) in vivo studies to assess the toxicity of the most successful formulations. The project brought together six academic partners, one hospital and two industrial teams as full partners, complemented by four associate partners, one of which is an industrial team, distributed over a total of seven European Union member states. The consortium has allowed the connection of groups with very interdisciplinary expertise ranging from nanoparticle synthesis and characterization, computational modelling, in vitro Blood Brain Barrier (BBB) models and BBB transport, neural stem cells, animal testing and clinical expertise. The project was organised into three scientific work packages: WP1 - Synthesis and characterisation of novel nanomaterials The main objective of WP1 was to develop advanced nanostructure materials with the ability to transport drugs across the BBB, targeting the Neural stem cells. WP2 - Permeation and bioactivity studies. WP2 focused on the development of in vitro human BBB models to screen formulations, in both healthy and diseased settings. WP3 - In vivo evaluation of nano-delivery systems(QMUL, CNC, KI, CHUC, HMGU). This last work package aimed to (i) target and control the activity of neural stem cells, and (ii) demonstrate the effect of inductive platforms in vivo. The work being done by the Teams belonging to the Nanostem consortium has targetted a very important scientific question related to understanding how nanoparticles may have the potential to overcome the current problems of permeating the blood-brain barrier. The results of the work have been published in peer-reviewed journals and more results will become public in the next few months.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

Brain conditions such as neurodegenerative diseases, stroke and traumatic injuries are a mayor burden in modern society. Because neural stem cells (NSCs) can differentiate into new neural cells including neurons, the regulation of their proliferation, differentiation and migration represent a promising regenerative/therapeutic strategy. The hypothesis of NanoStem project is that novel nanoparticles (NPs) combined with recent identified/developed pharmaceuticals can be an efficient approach to control the biological activity of NSCs. The scientific project is organized in three work packages (WP), each focusing on specific objectives and containing well-defined deliverables. WP1 will focus on the synthesis of the nanomaterials and the uploading of the therapeutics. WP2 will take the best nanoparticles and focus more on the evaluation of the permeation and efficacy of the formulations against NSCs. WP3 will focus on in vivo studies to evaluate the formulations developed to tackle the brain and to assess their toxicity. The project will train 14 ESRs in areas including organic and polymer chemistry, cell biology, pharmacology, neuroscience, nanobiotechnology and clinical sciences. The project will also provide a substantial training program in complementary skills, targeting both professional and personal development, and translation of research and entrepreneurship. The project brings together six academic partners, one hospital and two industrial teams as full partners, complemented by four associate partners, one of which is an industrial team, distributed over a total of seven European Union member states. The consortium brings together groups with a very interdisciplinary expertise ranging from nanoparticle synthesis and characterization, computational modeling, in vitro BBB models and BBB transport, neural stem cells, animal testing and clinical expertise.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

  • QUEEN MARY UNIVERSITY OF LONDON · LONDONCoordinatorUnited Kingdom
  • BRAINS FOR BRAIN FOUNDATION ONLUS · PadovaItaly
  • CENTRO DE NEUROCIENCIAS E BIOLOGIACELULAR ASSOCIACAO · COIMBRAPortugal
  • HCS Pharma · LoosFrance
  • HELMHOLTZ ZENTRUM MUENCHEN DEUTSCHES FORSCHUNGSZENTRUM FUER GESUNDHEIT UND UMWELT GMBH · NeuherbergGermany
  • KAROLINSKA INSTITUTET · STOCKHOLMSweden
  • MYBIOTECH GMBH · UberherrnGermany
  • THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM · BirminghamUnited Kingdom
  • UNIDADE LOCAL DE SAUDE DE COIMBRA EPE · CoimbraPortugal
  • UNIVERSIDADE DE COIMBRA · CoimbraPortugal
  • UNIVERSITAET INNSBRUCK · InnsbruckAustria
  • UNIVERSITAT DES SAARLANDES · SaarbruckenGermany
  • UNIVERSITE D'ARTOIS · ArrasFrance
  • UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK · COVENTRYUnited Kingdom

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union