Skip to main content
Go to the home page of the European Commission (opens in new window)
English English
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS

Transport of Engineered Nanomaterials across the blood-brain-barrier

Objective

Engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) offer unique potential for innovation in a diversity of applications, but have also been linked to potential adverse effects on human health and biota. A particular concern is the accumulating evidence implicating ENMs in neurotoxicity, with a potential mechanism involving crossing the blood brain barrier (BBB) and then directly or indirectly acting on the central nervous system. Currently, two key questions pertain to this uncertainty: (1) What conditions favour ENMs crossing the BBB? This is most likely related to the physicochemical properties of the ENMs but the current understanding is limited and inconclusive, primarily due to limited or irreproducible characterisation of ENMs. Therefore, a systematic investigation on the BBB-penetrating ability and association with the intrinsic properties of ENMs is urgently needed. (2) What is the fate of ENMs within and beyond the BBB? i.e. the deposition, translocation, and transformation of ENMs after crossing the BBB. Given that the accumulation of ENMs in BBB might be low, localizing the ENMs in the system would be a challenging task, especially for ENMs with high elemental backgrounds (e.g. C-based and Fe-based ENMs). Thus, novel approaches are urgently needed to enable a breakthrough in our understanding of ENM ability to cross the BBB and trace their path beyond. Project NanoBBB proposes combining novel labelling techniques with an on-a-chip brain model and in vivo experiments enabling a uniquely novel approach to solve this problem. This project will allow us to systematically understand the behaviour and fate of certain ENMs in brain and contribute to safer design of ENMs. The ER brings her extensive biological expertise to the host lab, which in turn offers world-class analytical and labelling facilities and expertise. NanoBBB also offers placements in industry for the on-a-chip technology development and an NGO to host the in-vivo experiments enabling validation of the model.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.

You need to log in or register to use this function

Programme(s)

Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.

Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF

See all projects funded under this funding scheme

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2017

See all projects funded under this call

Coordinator

THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 195 454,80
Address
Edgbaston
B15 2TT Birmingham
United Kingdom

See on map

Region
West Midlands (England) West Midlands Birmingham
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 195 454,80
My booklet 0 0