Projects & Grants
| Advanced Functional Nanorobots for precise immune cell gene engineering | |
|---|---|
| Project Id | NW26-08-00416 |
| Main solver | doc. RNDr. Michal Šimíček, PhD. |
| Period | 1/2026 - 12/2029 |
| Provider | Agentura zdravotnického výzkumu ČR |
| State | solved |
| Anotation | Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified T and NK cells have greatly improved the precision and efficacy of cancer immunotherapies, yet gene delivery approaches such as viral transduction and electroporation remain limited by immunogenicity, off-target integration, and high cellular toxicity. To address these challenges, this project harnesses advances in nanotechnology, biomaterials, and CRISPR-based editing to develop multifunctional nanorobots capable of rapid, precise, and minimally toxic transfection of immune cells. By integrating catalytic or magnetic propulsion with targeted surface functionalization, these nanorobots can actively traverse biological barriers and deliver nucleic acids and protein-based nucleases directly into the cytoplasm. Preliminary work has shown up to six-fold faster cell uptake compared to static nanoparticles, with preserved cargo bioactivity. Building on this success, we aim to generate enhanced CARexpressing T and NK cells featuring robust cytotoxicity, persistence, and reduced immunosuppression. Beyond cancer therapy, this nanorobot platform could also offer transformative applications in autoimmunity, infectious disease, and transplantation. |
| Total Costs | 12 710 000 CZK |
