CiQUS

Recent advances in surface chemistry and characterisation techniques have allowed the generation of direct images of reaction intermediaries, even in the case of individual molecules. The MolDAM project team, which receives European funding, uses tunnel-effect microscopy to manipulate the electron load inside molecules and control their reactivity. The project combines technical know-how of solution synthesis techniques in specific organic molecular solutions, surface chemistry, atom manipulation and single-molecule characterisation. The project is expected to yield large amounts of data regarding new types of chemical reactivity. Through the use of ultra-fast pulses, the researchers will unravel the molecular transformation mechanisms, with an unprecedented spatial and time resolution.

Referencia: ERC-2020-SyG-951519

Go to the project page

Methane, the principal component of natural gas, is used essentially as a source of fuel, although it can also be turned into a material that acts as a highly efficient methylating agent in organic synthesis. However, methane has a low level of reactivity, which limits its use. The BECAME project’s main strategy to increase the reactivity of this gas is based on the use of transition metals to activate carbon and hydrogen links, together with others that will catalyse the methylation process. BECAME’s researchers are confident that the proposed method will shed light on catalytic cross-coupling reactions and carbon and hydrogen activation, providing a fundamental basis for sustainable and efficient methane functionalisation.

Referencia: ERC-2019-CoG-863914

Go to the project page

Lung, breast, colon and pancreas cancers are responsible for some 3 million deaths a year, and account for than 40% of all cancer deaths worldwide. Many of the chemotherapies used to treat these cancers are based on cytotoxic drugs that fail to kill cancer stem cells (CSCs), a small population of tumour cells that are primarily responsible for chemoresistance and recurrence of the disease. Very few anti-CSC therapies exist to date, partly due to the inherent plasticity of these cells.

Researchers in this project have identified chemical compounds that are able to specifically target mitochondrial respiration in CSCs and, therefore, could prevent CSC-mediated treatment resistance and recurrence.

Results in pancreatic CSCs and in preclinical patient-derived models demonstrate potent anticancer activity. Importantly, in vivo studies suggest low associated secondary toxicity. With the support of CaixaResearch, this multidisciplinary team will validate the technology in preclinical models of various CSC-generated tumours and develop a commercialization plan to facilitate market access.

Financing institution: La Caixa Research Consolidate 2021

Go to the project page

One of the key objectives of nanomedicine is the application of nanoparticles for drug delivery and clinical diagnostics. The EU-funded SPACING project aims to develop innovative technology for the design of nanoparticles with ligand configurations similar to viral capsids, so that they can deliver similar levels of performance in terms of transport and stability in lysosomes. The SPACING technology will also drive current strategies for nanoparticle manufacturing.

Referencia: ERC-2020-StG-950421

Go to the project page

TraffikGene-Tx is the first EIC Transition project funded in Galicia by the European Innovation Council. This project aims to design and validate, at the preclinical trial level, new therapeutic RNA-based treatment strategies. Specifically, TraffikGene will work on the development of modifiable and personalized peptide carriers for their application as medicine, based on their own RNA-based immunotherapy patent. The resulting products are expected to have the potential to reach millions of patients and reduce healthcare costs.

Financing institution: The European Innovation Council (EIC)

Referencia: HORIZON-EIC-2022-TRANSITION-01-101113110

Go to the project page