We are thrilled to announce that the BOW project has been selected for publication in the “Results in Brief” section of the European Commission’s CORDIS website. This recognition highlights the project’s innovative contributions and its potential impact on research and innovation.
The publication explains how the BOW project developed a biological ‘wetsuit’ coating for nanoparticles to enable safe and effective drug delivery through the bloodstream. By using extracellular vesicles (EVs)—tiny natural particles that cells use to communicate—the project successfully wrapped synthetic nanoparticles in protective biological membranes. This innovative coating helps the nanoparticles evade the immune system, reducing toxicity and making them safer for medical applications.
The publication also highlights how this approach could improve drug delivery for lung diseases like pulmonary fibrosis and pave the way for safer, more targeted treatments. Researchers would need to scale up production and validate the technology for real-world medical use.
The BOW project coordinator, Paolo Bergese, was interviewed as part of the publication process. He shared valuable insights into the project’s achievements and the potential applications of the hybrid nanoparticles. Bergese emphasized that coating synthetic nanoparticles with natural membranes significantly enhances biocompatibility and minimizes side effects, opening new avenues for advanced nanomedicine.
Read the full publication on CORDIS here: https://cordis.europa.eu/article/id/457162-wetsuit-solution-for-safe-and-effective-nanomedicine.
CORDIS (Community Research and Development Information Service) is the European Commission’s primary public repository and portal for disseminating information on all EU-funded research projects and their results. It plays a vital role in making the achievements of EU-funded projects accessible to the public, policymakers, industry stakeholders, and the scientific community.
The BOW project was funded by nearly €4.5 million from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 programme, and ended on October 31, 2024, after four years of research. It was coordinated by the CSGI (Consorzio Interuniversitario per lo Sviluppo dei Sistemi a Grande Interfase) and brought together a diverse consortium of partners, including the CNR (National Research Council of Italy), University of Santiago de Compostela, Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Atlantic Technological University, ETH Zurich, Hansabiomed Life Sciences, Biodevice Systems, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, and Zabala Innovation.
