idw – Informationsdienst Wissenschaft

Nachrichten, Termine, Experten

Grafik: idw-Logo
Science Video Project
idw-Abo

idw-News App:

AppStore

Google Play Store



Instance:
Share on: 
06/03/2019 11:16

Fraunhofer IBMT in EC-FET Open Project GLADIATOR: New technologies for cancer monitoring & therapy

Dipl.-Phys. Annette Maurer-von der Gathen Presse und Öffentlichkeitsarbeit
Fraunhofer-Institut für Biomedizinische Technik IBMT

    A transdisciplinary, paradigm-shifting, approach with bio-nanodevice interfaces

    The Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT is contributing its expertise in the field of medical biotechnology and ultrasound to a new EC project to work on the next generation of theranostics for brain pathologies using autonomous externally controllable nanonetworks.

    Brain pathologies are highly complex disorders. Despite recent progress, their prognosis is grim, defining a significant societal challenge.

    In the EC project GLADIATOR, coordinated by the University of Cyprus and R&D intensive SME EPOS-Iasis, five academic centres and one SME from across Europe have joined forces with a leading Japan-based University in order to develop a vanguard and comprehensive theranostic (therapeutic + diagnostic) solution for brain malignancies by bridging life sciences, bio-nanotechnology, engineering and information communication technologies (ICT).

    The GLADIATOR project will provide a working prototype of a complete, autonomous and clinically applicable, nanonetwork-based, theranostic system based on the conceptual framework of Externally Controllable Molecular Communications (ECMC). Molecular Communications is the emerging discipline of exploring the transmission of encoded messages via molecular channels in solutions, cells or entire living organisms. Such systems can even form networks of bio-nano-machines which, when externally controlled, can be interrogated to extract information on the status of the cancer but also manipulate the malignant cells to affect the disease progression.

    Using Glioblastoma Multiforme tumours, the most detrimental of brain pathologies, as a proof-of-concept case, GLADIATOR will implement an innovative theranostic platform of combined cell-based and electronic components. Rationally designed reprogramming (therapeutic) bio-nanomachines will interfere with the underlying biological environment, forming nanonetworks and defining a revolutionary intervention. A hybrid bio-electronic interface, consisting of coupled external and implantable devices, will enable communication channels integrated into a wireless ECMC network. This system will autonomously monitor the spatiotemporal tumour evolution and recurrence and generate, on demand, appropriate reprogramming interventions, by radiofrequency stimulation.

    The Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT with its departments "Cryo- and Stem Cell Technology" and "Bioprocessing and Bioanalytics" within the main department of Medical Biotechnology as well as the main department of Ultrasound is involved in the synthesis of allogeneic or patient-specific organoids and the proof-of-concept in vitro on complex biological models as well as in the construction of the micro-optoelectronic sensor. The Fraunhofer IBMT has decades of experience in device and technology development in the fields of biomedical/medical technology, medical biotechnology (especially cryo(bio)technology, nano(bio)technology and stem cell technology), ultrasound technology, biomedical microsystems, theranostics, (mobile) laboratory technology and laboratory automation.

    A paradigm shift in Oncology Research is anticipated via the supra-discipline of “bio-nanomachine diagnostics”. GLADIATOR establishes a radical long-term vision leading to a drastic change in cancer therapy, also ushering the emergence of the ECMC field and transforming the burgeoning industry of "Internet of Nano-bio-Things", with high socio-economic impact.

    It is expected that the project’s results will improve patient prognosis by minimizing recurrences and reducing drug toxicity. Improved health, extended life expectancy and productivity, reduced sick-leaves, shorter hospitalizations, reduced return visits, less personnel and caregiver involvement will also have a positive effect on the already overstrained Health Care Systems. Moreover, the pioneering biological and nanotechnology-based innovations, development methods and computational and analytical tools advanced through GLADIATOR, are expected to have substantial economic impact since they can enter into significant market segments as indicated by global market projections and underlying drivers.

    Contact person at the Fraunhofer IBMT
    Dr. Sylvia Wagner
    Head of Department Bioprocessing and Bioanalytics
    Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT
    Joseph-von-Fraunhofer-Weg 1
    66280 Sulzbach, Germany
    Tel: +49 (0) 6897 9071 274
    E-Mail: sylvia.wagner@ibmt.fraunhofer.de
    Website: https://www.ibmt.fraunhofer.de

    Project Coordinator
    Dr. Constantinos Pitris
    Associate Professor
    Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
    School of Engineering
    University of Cyprus
    75 Kallipoleos street
    P.O.Box 20537
    CY-1678 Nicosia, Cyprus
    Tel: +357 22 89229797
    E-Mail: cpitris@ucy.ac.cy
    Website: http://www.eng.ucy.ac.cy/cpitris/

    Scientific Coordinator
    Dr. Andreani Odysseos
    Director of Research
    EPOS-Iasis Research and Development, Ltd
    Kosti Palama 34, APT 5
    CY-1096 Nicosia, Cyprus
    Tel: +357 22 373089
    Mob: +357 99 431729
    E-Mail: andreani@epos-iasis.com
    Website: http://www.epos-iasis.com

    Project Partners
    University of Cyprus, Cyprus
    University of Oulu, Finland
    Fraunhofer-Institut für Biomedizinische Technik (Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering) IBMT, Germany
    Waterford Institute of Technology, Irleand
    Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway
    Osaka University, Japan
    EPOS-Iasis, Cyprus

    CALL: H2020-FETOPEN-2018-2019-2019-2020-01-01
    Funding Scheme: RIA
    Proposal Number: 8288837
    Proposal Acronym: GLADIATOR
    Duration (Months): 48
    Project Start/Project End: 01.01.2019 – 31.12.2022
    Proposal Title: Next-generation theranostics of brain pathologies with autonomous externally controllable nanonetworks: a transdisciplinary approach with bio-nanodevice interfaces
    Activity: FETOPEN-RIA-2018


    Contact for scientific information:

    Contact person at the Fraunhofer IBMT
    Dr. Sylvia Wagner
    Head of Department Bioprocessing and Bioanalytics
    Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT
    Joseph-von-Fraunhofer-Weg 1
    66280 Sulzbach, Germany
    Tel: +49 (0) 6897 9071 274
    E-Mail: sylvia.wagner@ibmt.fraunhofer.de
    Website: https://www.ibmt.fraunhofer.de

    Scientific Coordinator
    Dr. Andreani Odysseos
    Director of Research
    EPOS-Iasis Research and Development, Ltd
    Kosti Palama 34, APT 5
    CY-1096 Nicosia, Cyprus
    Tel: +357 22 373089
    Mob: +357 99 431729
    E-Mail: andreani@epos-iasis.com
    Website: http://www.epos-iasis.com


    More information:

    https://www.ibmt.fraunhofer.de/en.html
    https://www.fet-gladiator.eu/


    Images

    Criteria of this press release:
    Business and commerce, Journalists, Scientists and scholars
    Biology, Information technology, Medicine, Nutrition / healthcare / nursing, Social studies
    transregional, national
    Cooperation agreements, Research projects
    English


     

    Help

    Search / advanced search of the idw archives
    Combination of search terms

    You can combine search terms with and, or and/or not, e.g. Philo not logy.

    Brackets

    You can use brackets to separate combinations from each other, e.g. (Philo not logy) or (Psycho and logy).

    Phrases

    Coherent groups of words will be located as complete phrases if you put them into quotation marks, e.g. “Federal Republic of Germany”.

    Selection criteria

    You can also use the advanced search without entering search terms. It will then follow the criteria you have selected (e.g. country or subject area).

    If you have not selected any criteria in a given category, the entire category will be searched (e.g. all subject areas or all countries).