PEP-NANO-DRUG

5th Joint Call: PEP-NANO-DRUG

The proposal aims to synthesize, characterize, and apply novel opioid peptide–nanoparticle conjugates with potential neuropharmacological applications. The project focuses on developing new peptide analogs and nano-peptide systems for drug delivery, minimizing side effects, and enhancing therapeutic efficacy.
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Background

Nanotechnology, the science of construction at nanoscale, has multiple applications in medicine, industry, and ICT. In recent years, peptides have emerged as promising therapeutic molecules for conditions like hypertension, epilepsy, chronic pain, and cancer. However, peptides are prone to enzymatic digestion and can trigger unwanted immune responses.

Nanoparticles can act as carriers to protect peptides, control their release, and improve efficacy. Designing bioactive peptide analogs and peptide–nanoparticle systems offer opportunities to treat diseases more safely and effectively, while also enabling biomedical imaging through fluorescent labeling. This project builds on advances in synthetic chemistry, nanomaterials, and neuropharmacology.

The project

PEP-NANO-DRUG pursues several specific objectives (SOs):

  • Synthesis and characterization of new Spinorphin analogs with anticonvulsant and antinociceptive actions.
  • Development of hybrid peptide derivatives incorporating electron-donating and electron-withdrawing groups with photoactive properties for biomedical applications.
  • Preparation of nano-peptide systems using metal-based nanoparticles for delivery of therapeutic peptide molecules.
  • Characterization of nano-peptide properties and evaluation of their biological applications.
  • Medico-biological evaluation of synthesized nano-peptides to assess therapeutic efficacy and safety.

The science

The project integrates synthetic peptide chemistry, nanotechnology, and neurobiology:

  • Engineering novel peptide analogs with enhanced stability and therapeutic action.
  • Functionalizing peptides with fluorophores for dual therapeutic and imaging purposes.
  • Employing nanoparticles as drug carriers to protect peptides from degradation and allow controlled release.
  • Evaluating anticonvulsant and antinociceptive activities in biological systems.

The team

The PEP-NANO-DRUG partners are:

Assoc. Prof. PhD Stela Georgieva-Kiskinova (Coordinator), University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy – Sofia (UCTM), Bulgaria

Dr. Hoa Le, Institute for Nanotechnology (INT), Vietnam National University – Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Assoc. Prof. Subaer Subaer, Universitas Negeri Makassar, Indonesia

 

Contact: Assoc. Prof. PhD Stela Georgieva-Kiskinova            Email: st.georgieva@uctm.edu 

Tags
NANOTECHNOLOGIES