REGENERAR

Acrónimo: REGENERAR

Objetivo temático: The project REGENERAR aims to develop a non-viral delivery formulation up to TRL4 for the delivery of an epigenetic reprogramming formulation to reprogram glial cells into neurons.

Área Científica:

• Cell differentiation, physiology and dynamics
• Regenerative medicine
• Nanotechnology
• Gene editing
• Epigenetic reprogramming
• Non-viral delivery systems
• Spatial transcriptomics

Síntese do Projeto: The central nervous system has a limited capacity for self-repair. Therefore, technologies to replace lost neurons after an injury, including stroke or neurodegenerative diseases, are of great need. The project REGENERAR aims to develop a non-viral delivery formulation up to TRL4 for the delivery of an epigenetic reprogramming formulation to reprogram glial cells into neurons. The in vitro safety and targeting of the formulation will be tested against glial cells and organotypic cortical slice cultures. Several routes of administrations will be tested to enhance the accumulation of the formulation in the brain. In addition, the in vivo safety, elimination, targeting and epigenetic reprogramming will be evaluated. In addition, toxicological studies will be performed in GLP conditions to evaluate both in vivo systemic and local (brain) effects of the formulation. The development of the non-viral formulation will take in account the contributes of key stakeholders in the area of gene editing, health institutions, patient associations, among others. A roadmap will be developed for upscaling innovation to higher TRL´s upon the end of the action.

Área de intervenção:

• Cell differentiation, physiology and dynamics
• Regenerative medicine
• Nanotechnology
• gene editing; epigenetic reprogramming; non-viral delivery systems; spatial transcriptomics

Investigador Responsável na UC: Lino da Silva Ferreira

Unidade Orgânica UC: Reitoria

Instituições participantes no Projeto:

• HELMHOLTZ ZENTRUM MUENCHEN DEUTSCHES FORSCHUNGSZENTRUM FUER GESUNDHEIT UND UMWELT GMBH
• SOCIEDADE PORTUGUESA DE INOVACAO CONSULTADORIA EMPRESARIAL E FOMENTO DA INOVACAO SA
• FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG EV
• Single Technologies AB
• HOVIONE FARMACIENCIA SA

Instituição Financiadora/Gestora: Comissão Europeia

Programa de Financiamento: HORIZON-EIC-2023-PATHFINDEROPEN-01-01

Período de execução: 01/04/2024 a 29/02/2028 (48 meses)

Custo total elegível (EUR): 2.943.233,00€

Apoio financeiro da UE: 2.943.233,00€

Técnico do Projeto: Maria Joana Dias

Contacto: 239247026