Project description DEENESFRITPL Non-viral gene therapy for intervertebral disc degeneration Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is a main cause of chronic low back pain and osteoarthritis of the joints, affecting many individuals worldwide. To restore tissue health in affected patients, the EU-funded CARTHAGO project is working on a non-viral gene therapy approach based on the delivery of oligonucleotides and encoding nucleic acids. This strategy combined with ultrasound overcomes accessibility issues of cartilaginous tissues encountered by traditional drugs and enhances tissue penetration and transfection. The work will be carried out by early-stage researchers who will also acquire transferable skills for a career in the field. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective Chronic low back pain due to intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration and osteoarthritis (OA) worldwide impact human health and well-being due to pain and impaired mobility. Non-viral gene therapy has great promise as safe and precision treatment to restore IVD and joint tissue health. However, the lack of accessibility of the affected cartilaginous tissues to drugs has inhibited progress in this field. We will finally fulfil the promise of non-viral gene therapy in these diseases. We will do this through educating 15 young researchers in 10 different countries in physics, quality by design (QbD), nucleic acid chemistry, nanomedicine, cartilage and IVD biology, ethics, entrepreneurship and academic transferable skills. This highly multidisciplinary team will exploit the potential of gene therapy in IVD and joint disease by taking a multi-faceted approach towards the delivery and activity of oligonucleotides and encoding nucleic acids (NA). Cell and tissue delivery will be achieved by nucleic acid modification, innovative nanocarriers and tissue targeting, supported by QbD. Ultrasound will for the first time be used to enhance NA tissue penetration and transfection, and to trigger local release from systemically administered endogenous albumin-NA conjugates. Imaging tools will be developed to monitor in vivo regeneration, saving numerous animal lives in the future. Moreover, we will set up an educational framework for embedding biomedical ethics in biomedical research and valorisation, providing a firm and sustainable basis for Responsible Research and Innovation for future biomedical science and technology. Participation of a patient organisation and a scientific organisation experienced in the dialogue with society, will ensure researchers at ease in communicating with different audiences. Hence CARTHAGO will deliver the agile scientists freely moving between sectors and firmly anchored in society, required to take science and innovation to the next level in Europe. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesnucleic acidsmedical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologygenetic engineeringgene therapysocial scienceseconomics and businessbusiness and managemententrepreneurshipmedical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologynanomedicinenatural sciencesphysical sciencesacousticsultrasound Keywords osteoarthritis intervertebral disc degeneration nanomedicine Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.1. - Fostering new skills by means of excellent initial training of researchers Topic(s) MSCA-ITN-2020 - Innovative Training Networks Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-ITN-2020 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-ITN - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Networks (ITN) Coordinator UNIVERSITAIR MEDISCH CENTRUM UTRECHT Net EU contribution € 265 619,88 Address HEIDELBERGLAAN 100 3584 CX Utrecht Netherlands See on map Region West-Nederland Utrecht Utrecht Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 265 619,88 Participants (11) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all UPPSALA UNIVERSITET Sweden Net EU contribution € 563 965,92 Address VON KRAEMERS ALLE 4 751 05 Uppsala See on map Region Östra Sverige Östra Mellansverige Uppsala län Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 563 965,92 UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE IULIU HATIEGANU CLUJ-NAPOCA Romania Net EU contribution € 219 591,36 Address VICTOR BABES STREET 8 400012 Cluj-Napoca See on map Region Macroregiunea Unu Nord-Vest Cluj Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 219 591,36 AARHUS UNIVERSITET Denmark Net EU contribution € 595 044,00 Address NORDRE RINGGADE 1 8000 Aarhus C See on map Region Danmark Midtjylland Østjylland Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 595 044,00 AALTO KORKEAKOULUSAATIO SR Finland Net EU contribution € 280 805,76 Address OTAKAARI 1 02150 Espoo See on map Region Manner-Suomi Helsinki-Uusimaa Helsinki-Uusimaa Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 280 805,76 INEB-INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE ENGENHARIA BIOMEDICA Portugal Net EU contribution € 237 720,24 Address RUA ALFREDO ALLEN 208 4200 135 Porto See on map Region Continente Norte Área Metropolitana do Porto Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 237 720,24 AO-FORSCHUNGSINSTITUT DAVOS Switzerland Net EU contribution € 562 553,28 Address CLAVADELERSTRASSE 8 7270 Davos Platz See on map Region Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera Ostschweiz Graubünden / Grigioni / Grischun Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 562 553,28 UNIWERSYTET JAGIELLONSKI Poland Net EU contribution € 227 478,60 Address UL GOLEBIA 24 31-007 Krakow See on map Region Makroregion południowy Małopolskie Miasto Kraków Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 227 478,60 PERCUROS BV Participation ended Netherlands Net EU contribution € 531 239,76 Address EERBEEKLAAN 42 2573 HT 's-Gravenhage (Den Haag) See on map SME The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed. Yes Region West-Nederland Zuid-Holland Agglomeratie ’s-Gravenhage Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 531 239,76 Albumedix Ltd Participation ended United Kingdom Net EU contribution € 0,00 Address CASTLE BOULEVARD 59 NG7 1FD Nottingham See on map SME The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed. Yes Region East Midlands (England) Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Nottingham Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost No data 20MED THERAPEUTICS BV Netherlands Net EU contribution € 265 619,88 Address DRIENERLOLAAN 5 KAMER ZH252 7522 NB Enschede See on map SME The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed. Yes Region Oost-Nederland Overijssel Twente Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 265 619,88 JENACELL GMBH Germany Net EU contribution € 252 788,40 Address GOSCHWITZER STR. 22 07745 Jena See on map Region Thüringen Thüringen Jena, Kreisfreie Stadt Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 252 788,40