SUPRO-GEN

Gene therapy, most commonly using viral vectors, can be applied to inhibit or edit the expression of any gene of interest, being highly specific. However, there is an urgent need to find non-viral vectors with low toxicity and high transfection and targeting efficacies. The SUPRO-GEN project aims to design supramolecular vectors for gene delivery for applications in immunotherapy and cancer stem cell therapy. Peptide and glyco engineering of the vectors will result in high tumor targeting efficacy. Transfection and therapeutic efficacy will be tested in vitro and in vivo. Cell trafficking and biological fate of vectors will be studied by advanced imaging techniques. SUPRO-GEN is a concerted action based on multidisciplinary expertise in materials science, chemistry, genetic engineering, cancer biology, cancer therapy, and imaging. The project will bring together a talented consortium of academic groups and a high-tech SME from Spain, Italy, Israel, the United States, South Africa, Argentina and Thailand. Early Stage and Experienced researchers will receive training and conduct research in a hosting institution abroad. In addition to achieving the scientific goals, the project also aims to develop highly skilled professionals at the interface of materials science and engineering and the biological sciences.