| KEYWORD |
Synthesis and characterization of polymeric nanoparticles to target muscular cells.
Thesis in external company
keywords ADENOVIRUS VECTORS, NANOMEDICINE, NANOPARTICLES, THESIS ABROAD, USCULAR DYSTROPHIES
Reference persons VALENTINA ALICE CAUDA
External reference persons Prof. Marta Guerra Rebollo
Prof. Cristina Fornaguera
Institut Quimico de Sarrìa- Universidad Ramon Lull, Barcelona- Spain
Research Groups AA - Materials and Processes for Micro and Nano Technologies
Thesis type EXPERIMENTAL
Description Skeletal muscle repair is facilitated by a population of dedicated muscle stem cells (MuSCs), also known as satellite cells, that reside in anatomically defined niches within muscle tissues. Promising therapies based on gene therapy aim to promote the production of DYSTROPHIN in muscular cells. However, these therapies displayed a major problem: dystrophic MuSCs exhibit defects leading to a strong reduction in the generation of myogenic progenitors needed for proper muscle regeneration. As a result, the efficiency of gene therapies is drastically diminished. In this scenario, to develop new safe and efficient therapies aimed at increasing the regeneration capabilities of MuSCs within dystrophic muscle is mandatory. Our previous results showed that microRNA miR-106b is an important modulator of MuSCs quiescence. MiR-106b down-regulation occurs during MuSCs activation and is required for proper muscle repair in vivo. Interestingly, miR-106b is increased in MuSCs of dystrophic mice, and intramuscular injection of anti-mir-106b enhances their skeletal muscle regenerative potential. In this project, we propose to deliver miRNA-sponges specifically directed at blocking miR-106b in MuSCs by using polymeric nanoparticles in order to boost muscle regeneration in DMD context.
Methodologies: Synthesis of the muscular targeted OM-PBAE polymers, coating of miRNA sponges, nanoparticle characterization, cell culture of muscular and non-muscular cells, transduction experiments, cell cytometry, confocal microscopy in vivo biodistribution assays.
Supervisors abroad : Dr. Cristina Fornaguera and Dr. Marta Guerra
Required skills nanoparticles, characterization of nanoparticles, biology and chemistry basis, material science
Notes Methodologies: Synthesis of the muscular targeted OM-PBAE polymers, coating of miRNA sponges, nanoparticle characterization, cell culture of muscular and non-muscular cells, transduction experiments, cell cytometry, confocal microscopy in vivo biodistribution assays.
Deadline 15/12/2023
PROPONI LA TUA CANDIDATURA