An initial budget of 22,050€ was proposed for grant period 1, to support up to 8 Short-term Scientific Mission (STSM) applications. And 3,000€ euro for two Inclusiveness Target Country (ITC) grants and 3,000€ euro for two Dissemination (DC) grants were also defined.
A total of 9 STSM applications were submitted for this grant period.
The first one was cancelled early by the applicant due to a sudden unavailability of one supervisor for the expected dates of the application. This application was postponed for Grant Period 2 (GP2).
Another application was accepted but a problem of visa was raised and the applicant was not able to go at the expected dates of the application. This application will probably be reported for GP 2.
A total of 7 STSM applications were finally gone to completion with successful results. The global budget spent was: 12,280€.
A single ITC application was accepted for a budget of 510 euros.
Below are the applicants, their project with the location were they went, the length of their stay and a summary of the results. ITC application is in blue background.
Emanuele Azzoni, Ph.D
Transplantation of fetal-restricted hematopoietic progenitors into new born mice to assess their lineage contribution. Milano -> Paris, 1 week.
Results: Transgenic mice embryos (Cdh5-CreERT2::R26-EYFP) were produced in a small quantity compared to expected results but an ongoing collaboration is established to continue the project. This STSM also resulted in several exchange of knowledge with meetings/seminars to generate ideas for future collaborations.
Cristiana Barone, Post doc.
Transplantation of fetal-restricted hematopoietic progenitors into new born mice to assess their long-term repopulation ability. Milano -> Paris, 1 week
Results: Transgenic mice embryos (Cdh5-CreERT2::R26-EYFP) were produced in a small quantity compared to expected results and ongoing collaboration is established to continue the project. The applicant learnt how to make intravenous injection to new born pulp, a specific knowledge from the host institution. The host lab was highly interested by the imaging facilities master at the sending institution for future collaborations.
Carles Bofill Bonet, 3rd year Ph.D
Enhancing local administration of TIMP-3 protein to avoid cell proliferation in cancer. Barcelona -> Angers (FR), 1 month
Results: mRNA TIMP-3 (immune response regulator) nanoparticles have been successfully incorporated into the hydrogel/poloxamers without altering their properties such as mRNA releasing capabilities. The particles are internalized by cells were expression of TIMP-3 was lower than expected. Seminars were organized to share results and knowledge.
Ana Borges, 1st year Ph.D
Dissect the tumor microenvironment to battle cancer radioresistance and immune escape. Porto -> Paris, 1 month
Results: A proof of concept that the modulation of immune-mediated radioresistance could constitute a novel therapeutic strategy for treatment of TNBC was established, using 3D preclinical cancer models. Data on 3D preclinical models were collected to establish open access standardized protocols. Another mission is planned to continue this work.
Flavia Castro, Ph.D
Unveil the therapeutic combination of IFN-gamma and chitosan/poly(γ-glutamic acid) nanoparticles for breast cancer treatment.
Porto -> Pamplona, 1 month
Results: She learn immune-phenotyping technique using an Imaging Systems, to analyse and integrate all the data collected, establish a cross-interdisciplinary international collaboration, and to bring the knowledge at i3s once the same equipment will be operational. A manuscript is in preparation. A seminar was planned at her Institution about the technique learnt. Receiving a PhD student from the host institution is planned as well as a grant application for funding.
Jelena Grahovac, Ph.D
Testing the anti-tumor NK cell activity in patient-derived pancreatic cancer culture in the microfluidic chip device. Belgrade -> Ljubljana, 1 week
Results: A proof of principle for microfluidic chip setup suitable for live imaging by confocal microscopy was established and evaluation of infiltration potential and cytotoxicity of engineered NK cells in pancreatic cancer spheroids derived from a patient. In data collection was planned during Dr Perišić Nanut’s visit to Serbia to have preliminary findings for a joint funding application
Milica Nanut, Ph.D
Analyzing the expression and main interacting partners of cystatin F in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Ljubljana -> Belgrade, 1 week
Results: Patient tissue material were analyzed and data were obtained on the level of cystatin F mRNA expression, its presence and spatial relations to other target peptidases within the tumour microenvironment as well as its molecular form. The best approach for modulation of cystatin F function wil be selected to contribute to get preliminary data necessary for gathering data for a joint grant application. During the stay seminars were organaised.
Ines Pinto, 1st year Ph.D
Nanoparticles for CAR T cell manufacturing: a potential gene delivery platform
Coimbra-> EACR conference – Barcelona, Poster
Results: The applicant established connections with Dr. Tyler Jacks (MIT, USA, CRISPR-Cas9 technology) for cancer immunotherapies, The Mimetics (Netherlands, startup with 3D culture cancer models). The attendance at the EACR Conference was a crucial step in advancing her career and expertise in cancer immunotherapy and had a positive impact on the IMMUNO-model COST Action by increasing its visibility.
Some statistics for mobility grants
Purple: COST member countries; Blue: ITC countries
Applicant’s country of origin by number.
Host organization’ country by number.
Number of projects related to our 5 working groups.
Gender balance
Europe map presentation of the STSM exchanges (from COST map countries by types)
