Martin Hanczyc, from the Cibio Department, has secured a substantial grant of 6.5 million euros from European funding bodies for two groundbreaking cancer research projects. Leading a team focused on synthetic biology at the University of Trento’s Department of Cellular, Computational, and Integrative Biology (Cibio), Hanczyc aims to develop artificial micro-organisms capable of both detecting and treating cancer.
The research endeavors, funded under the Horizon Europe – EIC Pathfinder Open program, represent a significant step forward in the fight against cancer. Professor Hanczyc’s laboratory, renowned for its work in artificial cellular technologies and bio-inspired materials, will spearhead these ambitious projects.
With an emphasis on precision targeting of diseased cells within the human body, both studies share a common objective. The considerable funding provided will support the multidisciplinary team, which currently includes Silvia Holler, Luca Tiberi, and Vito D’Agostino, with additional researchers expected to join in the near future.
The first project, Bio-HhOST (Bio-hybrid Hierarchical organoid-synthetic tissue), aims to develop bio-hybrid tissues where artificial cells interact with living cancerous cells. These artificial cells, equipped with specific elements like growth factors and anticancer drugs, respond to chemical cues in the environment, selectively targeting and impeding the growth of cancer cells. By leveraging organoids—three-dimensional cell aggregates that mimic human tissues—the research seeks to create a more effective platform for drug development and reduce reliance on animal models.
An interdisciplinary team, spanning biology, bioengineering, microfluidics, mathematics, and computer programming, will collaborate on this project. Partner institutions include the University of Cardiff, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, and MIC, a Paris-based company.
The second initiative, OMICSENS, focuses on developing a nano-photonic integrated biomolecular sensor for diagnosing and prognosticating lung cancer, particularly the aggressive non-small cell lung cancer. This innovative sensor, integrated into a microchip, interacts with biological samples from patients, detecting cancer cells and analyzing chemical reactions using artificial intelligence algorithms. The biosensor promises rapid and reliable tumor detection, facilitating prompt treatment initiation. Moreover, efforts are underway to adapt the technology for detecting other types of tumors.
The project involves collaboration with renowned institutions such as the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia and the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, alongside several European companies specializing in various relevant fields.
These pioneering research initiatives underscore the potential of synthetic biology and advanced technologies in revolutionizing cancer detection and treatment, offering hope for improved patient outcomes in the future.
- : public
