Summary
Pancreatic tumours are among the most aggressive, and are associated with the lowest survival rates. The main reason of this is their characteristic dense fibrotic stroma, which creates a perfect environment to promote cancer progression. To accurately mimic the Extracellular Matrix (ECM) is challenging, but is essential to understanding the interaction that occurs during malignant transformation. KRAS mutation is the most frequent alteration in pancreatic cancer. Micro(mi)RNA-143-3p and miRNA-216b have been shown to decrease KRAS gene expression and suppress tumour cell growth. My overarching Aim is to generate a 3D model of pancreatic cancer in which I can test the ability of a miRNA-activated scaffold to suppress tumour growth and facilitate local delivery of miRNA (miRNA-143-3p and miRNA-216b) that downregulate KRAS expression. Prof. Fergal O’Brien’s group in Royal College of Surgeon in Ireland has an extensive experience with development of biomimetic scaffolds to recreate the tumoural ECM and activating scaffolds to release therapeutic molecules (e.g., miRNAs). Using techniques established in his group, I will develop a 3D collagen-based scaffold that recreates the structure of pancreatic tumour ECM and then utilise this form as miRNA-activated scaffolds that will be used as local delivery systems in a radical new treatment for this disease. I will be supervised by Prof. O’Brien, and he will guide my Career Development Plan. I will develop complementary skills in project management, leadership, entrepreneurship, commercialisation, dissemination, and profile enhancement. Acquiring advanced research competences and complementary skills, I will maturate as an independent scientist, enhancing my professional visibility, capacity, and competitiveness in the field of biomaterials. This Fellowship will significantly contribute to the achievement of my long-term career goal, which is becoming an independent scientist leading my own biomaterials research group.
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More information & hyperlinks
| Web resources: | https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101153243 |
| Start date: | 01-08-2024 |
| End date: | 31-07-2026 |
| Total budget - Public funding: | - 199 694,00 Euro |
Cordis data
Original description
Pancreatic tumours are among the most aggressive, and are associated with the lowest survival rates. The main reason of this is their characteristic dense fibrotic stroma, which creates a perfect environment to promote cancer progression. To accurately mimic the Extracellular Matrix (ECM) is challenging, but is essential to understanding the interaction that occurs during malignant transformation. KRAS mutation is the most frequent alteration in pancreatic cancer. Micro(mi)RNA-143-3p and miRNA-216b have been shown to decrease KRAS gene expression and suppress tumour cell growth. My overarching Aim is to generate a 3D model of pancreatic cancer in which I can test the ability of a miRNA-activated scaffold to suppress tumour growth and facilitate local delivery of miRNA (miRNA-143-3p and miRNA-216b) that downregulate KRAS expression. Prof. Fergal O’Brien’s group in Royal College of Surgeon in Ireland has an extensive experience with development of biomimetic scaffolds to recreate the tumoural ECM and activating scaffolds to release therapeutic molecules (e.g., miRNAs). Using techniques established in his group, I will develop a 3D collagen-based scaffold that recreates the structure of pancreatic tumour ECM and then utilise this form as miRNA-activated scaffolds that will be used as local delivery systems in a radical new treatment for this disease. I will be supervised by Prof. O’Brien, and he will guide my Career Development Plan. I will develop complementary skills in project management, leadership, entrepreneurship, commercialisation, dissemination, and profile enhancement. Acquiring advanced research competences and complementary skills, I will maturate as an independent scientist, enhancing my professional visibility, capacity, and competitiveness in the field of biomaterials. This Fellowship will significantly contribute to the achievement of my long-term career goal, which is becoming an independent scientist leading my own biomaterials research group.Status
SIGNEDCall topic
HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01-01Update Date
25-11-2024
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