Real cell membranes are essentially asymmetric and non-planar. Outer leaflets of the plasma membranes contain neutral lipids and glycolipids, while the inner leaflets host practically all anionic lipids and phosphoinositides. In addition to asymmetric composition the membranes are usually curved due to spontaneous curvature of the membrane lipids and an influence of membrane proteins and cytoskeleton. There are many cellular phenomena, which are influenced by the asymmetry and the membrane curvature such as formation of synaptic vesicles, blebs and apoptotic bodies, membrane fusion and splitting, budding of enveloped viruses, endo and exocytosis, etc. In this work we propose comprehensive interdisciplinary study of the influence of membrane asymmetry and curvature on the functioning of integral membrane proteins and the transmembrane transport of therapeutic compounds (such as cisplatin and its derivatives). The goal is to reveal major physical factors, which distinguish asymmetric and curved membrane environment and govern interactions, orientation and diffusion of the small molecules (drugs) and large integral proteins. The combination of experimental methods (“wet” biochemistry and molecular biology, enhanced infrared and Raman spectroscopy) and computer simulations (coarse-grained and atomistic molecular dynamics, quantum chemistry) would be used in the project in complimentary manner.

The long-term goal of MX-MAP is to develop a functional pipeline for the immune characterization of new 2D nanomaterials of MXene family, for the qualitative and quantitative assessment of the human immune compatibility and immune activity towards biomedical applications. The immune characterization of the tested materials on the basis of intrinsic physical-chemical and immunological properties, through the combination of the most innovative technologies such as single-cell mass cytometry (CyTOF), will open breakthrough perspectives for the development of new therapeutic approaches applying nanomaterials as immunomodulators, scaffolds for tissue engineering, cancer therapy, and antibacterial agents. MX-MAP will develop key chemistry and immune-based strategies for MXene medical applications. The implication of this project extends beyond the specific nanoscience program greatly advancing the engineering process of 2D materials and their use in biomedicine. The MX-MAP project involves fourteen key players in European and non-European countries, including the United States, Canada, Saudi Arabia, and three partners from Ukraine, coming from academia and SMEs. This program will provide strong support for the development of the careers of young brilliant scientists who want to grow towards an interdisciplinary vision of Science. Chemistry, biology, immunology, engineering, and cancer research are the expertise of MX-MAP. The senior team members are among the most influential scientists, including Prof. Yury Gogotsi (H-index=168) - inventor of MXenes, Prof. Klaus Ley (H-index=147) - one of the most cited immunologists worldwide, and Prof. Husam N Alshareef (H-index=99). The Consortium is perfectly balanced in terms of equal gender presence; the project Coordinator Lucia Gemma Delogu is a female, and 2 out 4 of four WP leaders are female. The project embraces a large view of inclusiveness and diversity, including countries with smaller economies such as Ukraine.

The project CanBioSe targeted to strengthen international and intersectoral collaboration, sharing new ideas and knowledge transfer from research to market and vice versa in the field of nanostructured metal oxide optical biosensors for cancer cells detection. Interdisciplinary project research and innovation goals are targeted to develop a new portable tool for early stage cancer detection which can solve on of important health challenges in EU society. One dimensional (1D) polimer nanofibers will be deposited by electrospinning technique. Photonic nanomaterials, based on metal oxide based nanostructures (ZnO, ZnO/Al2O3 nanolaminates, Au/ZnO and ZnO/Au) will coat the 1D nanofibers. Metal oxides and Au nanoparticles will be deposited with Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) and electrophoresis, respectively. Bioselective layer will be formed by immobilization of specific antibodies on the biosensor surface. Photoluminescence and optical spectroscopy will be used for recording of the biosensor signal. Biosensor testing will be performed on cancer cells (human chronic lymphocyte leukemia (CLL) leucosis and acute lymphoblastic leucosis). The biosensor will be integrated with microfluidic system in order to minimize dimensions and simplify the use of the detection system. The project partners will provide research and training activities in the fields of nanotechnology, surface functionalization, bioengineering, microfluidics and biosensor testing, market analysis and commercialization. Provided research and management training to experienced researchers and early stage researchers will strengthen their personal skills and CVs via new scientific papers and conference theses and strengthen a development of EU research human resources. Long lasting collaboration between partners, based on co-supervising students and preparation of novel collaborative project proposals is foreseen. Dissemination of the project results to scientific society and wide auditories is foreseen.

Oral hygiene is the cornerstone of good oral health and World Health Organization recognizes oral health as an integral part of systemic health. Among the non-invasive organic fluids, saliva is one of the most preferable and practical specimens for oral and systemic health monitoring as it is readily available and easily collected and stored. Saliva is frequently called a “mirror of the body” since it can reflect both the physiological and pathological conditions in the entire human organism. The SALSETH project proposal facilitates exchange of knowledge, skills, competencies and capabilities (through secondments) of 8 internationally top-ranking participating organizations (4 from academic sector and 4 SMEs) from Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland, Serbia, Ukraine, Malaysia and Australia. This project proposal promotes international and intersectoral collaboration between participating institutions, bringing experts from different fields of science in a unique R&I set up. The SALSETH brings together expertise of the respectable institutions to reach beyond the-state-of-the-art advances in: (1) natural and bio-inspired biocompatible materials; (2) edible food-based sensors which can promptly detect important biomarkers from saliva; (3) external smart electronic device for wireless reading data from sensors; and (4) microfluidic devices for optimal administration of drugs or essential oils as a main part of the intraoral appliances for better oral and systemic health. Through carefully designed secondments, the seconded staff will work on significant technological breakthrough in salivary theranostics for personalized dental bio-medicine. This interdisciplinary project offers an excellent research oriented environment for the personal and professional growth of the involved staff members. The SALSETH will open possibilities of salivary diagnostics for personalized individual medicine applications including clinical treatment options and outcome evaluation predictions.

ESCULAPE project is targeted to building a strong interdisciplinary partnership in order to support joint research and innovative activities in the fields of biomaterials, polymer science, nanotechnology, tissue engineering, microbiology and medicine with the aim to explore development and implementation of new medical engineering solutions for regenerative medicine and wearable electronics. The project will offer novel solutions (from the manufacturing stage to exploitation strategies) using MXenes, a new class of two dimensional (2D) materials consisting of transition metal carbides/carbonitrides. MXenes will be employed to modify properties and qualities of porous 3D electrospun nanoscaffolds, which will be used in tissue engineering for regenerative biomedicine and development of wearable electronics on both woven and non-woven fabrics. The main goal of the ESCULAPE project is to build a new training partnership to develop innovative strategies to achieve advanced biomaterials with target-oriented properties (electrical conductivity, biocompatibility etc.) that will be able to deliver specific features for regeneration of heart and nerve tissues, regulation of homeostasis in iPSCs, as well as in development of wearable electronics. Interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral secondments will be the main tool for project realization with the aim of strengthening research, training, communication and networking capacities of participant organizations and knowledge transfer from academia to industry and vice versa. Proposed research and training goals will lead to enhance research and transferable skills of the ESRs, as well as their competences with the aim of improving competitive employability and career prospects in both academic and industrial sectors. Public dissemination of new research results will increase the awareness of general society on the role of researchers and research infrastructure in establishing the EU as a world leading R&I force.