Prof. María José Alonso

Coordinator

We have 20-year experience in the development of polymer nanocarriers for the delivery of macromolecules across mucosal surfaces. Within the TRANS-INT project we plan to develop advanced core-shell nanocarriers specifically adapted for the encapsulation and controlled delivery of peptides.

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Prof. Carlos Díeguez

Prof. Diéguez activiy focuses on endocrine research in particular in obesity and intermediary metabolism. Prof. Diéguez's group will conduct a detalied phenotypic assessment and glucose homeostasis tests in different models of diabetes/obesity for the selected drug candidates.

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Prof. David Brayden

Our group will formulate hyaluronic acid/protamine nanoparticulates as peptide carriers. We will also evaluate their in vivo interaction with epithelial barriers and biodistribution in rats, and the preliminar immunological response in mice.

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Prof. Veronique Preat

Prof. Preat's group will assess the transport of the nanoparticle prototypes using mono- or co-culture of Caco-2 cells. Prof. Preat's group will also contribute to peptide encapsulation.

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DR. ALOÏSE MABONDZO

Dr. Mabonzo's group will bring skills and expertise in the fields of transport of the selected peptides associated to the nanocarriers, and of characterisation of biomarker safety using metabolomics approaches.

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Dr. Andreas Schatzlein

Dr. Schatzlein's group will synthesise biocompatible amphiphilic polymers to create nano-sized micellar clusters that improve bioavailability of hydrophobic drugs and peptides across the gut.

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Dr. Federico Benetti

Veneto Nanotech will evaluate in vitro the transport of the nanocarriers through the intestinal mucosa, as well as their intestinal biodistribution and the immunological responses that are triggered locally.

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Dr. Ivan Coulter

Within the TRANS-INT project, Sigmoid aims to provide SmPill based formulations to ensure optimal targeted release of stable nanocarriers within the gastrointestinal tract. Sigmoid will ensure that the final formulation is manufactured under GMP conditions and is suitable for industrial/clinical applications.

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Prof. Jean Pierre Benoit

Our group will design new lipid nanocapsules to improve the bioavailability of selected peptides after oral administration. The nanocapsules and their interaction with the intestinal fluids and the mucus will be characterised with a range of techniques available at our lab.

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Prof. Dr. Jürgen Borlak

MHH role would be to conduct explorative toxicology studies with the most promising nanocarriers to better understand possible safety concerns associated to them. MHH will also be in charge of GLP-toxicology studies of the peptide-loaded nanocarriers.

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Prof. Ernest Giralt

IRB work will be focused on the use of cell-penetrating peptides and GIT-shuttles to decorate the nanocarriers in order to improve their transport across the intestinal mucosa.

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Prof. Per Artursson

UU will provide a model based on freshly isolated human intestine/colon for nanoparticle uptake studies and will also investigate the tissues transport capacity and response to the nanoparticles

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Prof. Vincenzo Bronte

IOV will determine the effects of nanocarriers on the activation or modulation of the immune system, both at the intestinal mucosa and the secondary lymphoid organs. The studies will be performed in vivo in mouse models as well as on in vitro derived myeloid cells.

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Prof. Janos Szebeni

Using various in vitro and in vivo tests, SeroScience Ltd. will explore the risk of immune toxicity (immunogenicity, immune reactivity, allergenicity, immune suppression) of orally administered drug candidates selected by the TRANS-INT consortium.

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Dr. Didier Bazile

Sanofi will provide the peptides and will evaluate in-vivo several oral formulations containing these peptides. Efficacy will be assessed in the chronic constriction injury model compared to clinical reference drugs. Sanofi will also conduct pharmacokinetics studies and exploratory safety evaluation of the loaded nanocarriers.
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Prof. Caitriona O’Driscoll

UCC will formulate and characterize peptide-entrapped cyclodextrin nanocarriers and will use the rat and pig animal models to assess lymphatic transport, bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of nanocarriers.

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