Projects

Role during the project:
As a scientist and WP leader at EPFL, my role was pivotal and consisted in bringing nanotechnological solutions to our biological, industrial and medical partners. As main responsibles of the WP 1, we worked in close collaborations with all the scientific WP to develop specific nanoparticles for arthritic pathologies with industrial requirements such as biocompatibility and upscalable methods to have enough quantity of materials for pharmacokinetic studies. We also studied in depth the biological behaviors of our nanohybrids (toxicity, internalization, biodistribution or Protein Corona).

The main objective of the NanoDiaRA project is the development of nanotechnology-based diagnostic tools for easy and early detection of disease onset, progression and responses to therapy RA and OA via specific targeting of inflammatory areas and imaging with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).  New blood and urine nanotechnology-based diagnostic biomarker assays was also developed to be a very sensitive, easy to use and affordable immunoassay benchtop analytical systems for widespread clinical use. In view of the development of this targeted nanoparticle-based technology there are also opportunities to use this tissue-targeted approach for locally controlled drug release (e.g. in joints alone/intra-articular). This way of improving drug delivery to minimize possible side effects is a long term future approach which will be examined for its feasibility during the term of the project. The overall project follows a personalized medicine approach and is driven by the prominent unmet clinical needs outlined above.

The NanoDiaRA project is divided into five research work packages and four supporting work packages. While the research packages deal with fundamental research, the latter are particularly addressing dissemination, publication and valorization of the research outcome, investigation of the ethical issues, training of young investigators and the administration of the project.

WP 1: Particle coating and functionalisation and novel equipment for coating and separation
WP 2: Inflammation and tissue damage detection by cell and tissue tracking and molecular MRI based imaging
WP 3a: New Biomarker/ligand and antibody detection and development: targets, antibodies and peptides
WP 3b: New Biomarker/ligand and antibody detection and development: Clinical relevance
WP 4: Development of bioassays
WP 7: Toxicity
WP 5: Scientific Coordination and Data Management
WP 6: Ethical, Legal, and Social Aspects, Technology Assessment (ELSI)
WP 8: Dissemination of Results and Foreground, Communication, Education & Training
WP 9: Management