ICARO | Intracellular Carrier Against Resistant microOrganisms (ICARO)

Vaccines have a history of success in the control of infectious diseases. The need for new efficient vaccination strategies is of particular significance due to the emergence of new pathogens, lack of effective antivirals and the growing scenario of antibiotic resistances. Intracellular pathogens and viruses are responsible for epidemics like tuberculosis, malaria, or COVID-19. T cells eliminate cells exposing antigens derived from intracellular pathogens via Major-Histocompatibility Complexes. This antigen-presentation pathway is often subverted by viruses or intravacuolar pathogens, for which the antigenic repertoire is greatly diminished.

ICARO take advantage of MEMS capabilities to obtain the proof-of-concept for a new generation of vaccines needed for diseases caused by intracellular pathogens (viruses, bacteria and protozoa) with a high societal impact. The biochips technology underlying this project has been already proven: biochips are optimal to reach and work in the intracellular environment: volume in the range of μm3, easy to manipulate, proven internalization by phagocytic and non-phagocytic cells and the ability to remain long period of time in the cell. Our vision is to develop silicon microchips that will cross the cellular barriers carrying antigens for its presentation.

By achieving that, ICARO might be a ground-breaking new vaccination strategy to boost T cells responses by a rapid scouting of a repertoire of antigens for a given pathogen. We aim to develop standardized methods for ICARO manufacturing and functionalisation to be easily applicable to other pathogens, thus accelerating the generation of new vaccines in the future.