HyHeat | Profiling gene expression in Hydra vulgaris following Gold Nanoparticle-mediated hyperthermia

Summary
Hyperthermia (HT) is currently used as a non-invasive technique for cancer therapy, whereby biological tissues are exposed to higher than normal temperatures, for selective ablation of tumoral cells. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the in vivo cellular responses to heat stress remain unclear to date. The overall aim of the HyHeat project is to use an invertebrate model to screen the heating capabilities of different gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in vivo, with the grand aim of understanding the cellular responses to heat stress and therefore taking the first steps towards improving nanoparticle (NP) mediated HT efficacy for therapeutic purposes. To this end, plasmonic AuNPs with photothermal capabilities will be surface engineered and supplied to living Hydra by soaking. Upon laser irradiation of the animal, cellular and molecular expression will be profiled to monitor the overall response to NP-mediated HT. A simple invertebrate organism will be used, in line with European strategies aimed to reduce vertebrate experimentation. Once a panel of upregulated genes have been identified, the research will be conducted in mice analyzing those genes found deregulated in Hydra with the final aim to identify genetic markers of HT treatment and speed up the entry of this therapy into clinics. HyHeat is a multidisciplinary project that take advantage of the Fellow´s Dr. Maria Moros knowledge in the synthesis and functionalization of NPs, and the expertise of the host group supervisor (Dr. C. Tortiglione, Instituto di Cibernetica “Eduardo Caianiello” (ICIB), National Research Council (CNR), Italy) in molecular biology using invertebrate models. This project will offer the applicant the possibility to work in a top European institution who pioneered the use of Hydra to test bioactivity and toxicity of NPs, and to develop new skills and knowledge necessary for the progress of her scientific career towards an independent position.
Unfold all
/
Fold all
More information & hyperlinks
Web resources: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/660228
Start date: 01-09-2015
End date: 31-08-2017
Total budget - Public funding: 180 277,20 Euro - 180 277,00 Euro
Cordis data

Original description

Hyperthermia (HT) is currently used as a non-invasive technique for cancer therapy, whereby biological tissues are exposed to higher than normal temperatures, for selective ablation of tumoral cells. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the in vivo cellular responses to heat stress remain unclear to date. The overall aim of the HyHeat project is to use an invertebrate model to screen the heating capabilities of different gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in vivo, with the grand aim of understanding the cellular responses to heat stress and therefore taking the first steps towards improving nanoparticle (NP) mediated HT efficacy for therapeutic purposes. To this end, plasmonic AuNPs with photothermal capabilities will be surface engineered and supplied to living Hydra by soaking. Upon laser irradiation of the animal, cellular and molecular expression will be profiled to monitor the overall response to NP-mediated HT. A simple invertebrate organism will be used, in line with European strategies aimed to reduce vertebrate experimentation. Once a panel of upregulated genes have been identified, the research will be conducted in mice analyzing those genes found deregulated in Hydra with the final aim to identify genetic markers of HT treatment and speed up the entry of this therapy into clinics. HyHeat is a multidisciplinary project that take advantage of the Fellow´s Dr. Maria Moros knowledge in the synthesis and functionalization of NPs, and the expertise of the host group supervisor (Dr. C. Tortiglione, Instituto di Cibernetica “Eduardo Caianiello” (ICIB), National Research Council (CNR), Italy) in molecular biology using invertebrate models. This project will offer the applicant the possibility to work in a top European institution who pioneered the use of Hydra to test bioactivity and toxicity of NPs, and to develop new skills and knowledge necessary for the progress of her scientific career towards an independent position.

Status

CLOSED

Call topic

MSCA-IF-2014-EF

Update Date

28-04-2024
Images
No images available.
Geographical location(s)
Structured mapping
Unfold all
/
Fold all
Horizon 2020
H2020-EU.1. EXCELLENT SCIENCE
H2020-EU.1.3. EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
H2020-EU.1.3.2. Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
H2020-MSCA-IF-2014
MSCA-IF-2014-EF Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-EF)