Project Acronym
PANA

Start Date
01/03/2016

Duration
60 months

End Date
28/02/2021

Topic
Biomaterials for treatment and prevention of Alzheimer's disease

Project Coordinator
Tomás Sobrino, from SERGAS (Spain)

Consortium
11 partners (Research Institutes, Universities, Companies, Hospitals)

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia and loss of autonomy in the elderly, involving a progressive cognitive decline and limitation of social activities. Progressive aging of EU population will increase the magnitude of this problem in next decades.

Currently, there is not an effective method for the early diagnosis of AD. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop new effective early diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to help in delaying the appearance of the most adverse symptoms of this disease.

To defeat this challenge, PANA project bases its approach on the importance of researching in early pathophysiological processes of AD.

PANA project seeks that goal using nanotechnology. The proposal include an exclusive consortium which combines neuroscientists, nanotechnologists, molecular imaging experts, clinicians and Small/Medium/Large Enterprises in an effort to provide new very-early diagnostic tools for AD, a vital medical/social problem in EU.

Work packages

Currently PANA is being executed and structured in 9 Work-Packages. Each Work Package is leaded by a Leader, who will offer support to every partner involved in order to achieve the expected milestones.

WP1 Molecular recognition

The aim of this WP is to develop specific biological structures suitable for recognition of very-early molecular markers of AD, and attachable to nanostructures which contain dual contrast agents for MRI and PET.

Led by KU LEUVEN

WP2 Characterization

WP2 will provide a detailed knowledge of the structural, morphological, physical and chemical properties of designed nanostructures. This purpose will require highly accurate characterization techniques relevant at the nanoscale level. Specifically, efforts will be devoted in this WP to identify, quantify and characterize the physicochemical properties of the magnetic and multifunctional nanostructures involved in the PANA project, and to give the appropriate feedback to the partners involved in the design and synthesis of these theragnostic nanostructures.

Led by INL

WP3 In vitro study

WP3 main goals are focused on in vitro affinity determination of nanostructures against very-early molecular markers of AD and also determinate nanostructures affinity in fluids of patients.

Led by SERGAS

WP4 Toxicology

WP4 is responsible for determining potential toxicity of nanostructures created, developing in vitro and in vivo tests.

Led by IECSCYL

WP5 In vivo studies

WP5 main role is to determine earliest time point that is reliable for the early diagnosis of the disease. Firstly, it will be tested temporal increase of the expression in brain of very-early molecular markers of AD. Secondly, it will be followed up by means of the nanostructures produced in previous WPs, as visualized by MRI/PET imaging studies in mutant mice that produce human molecular markers of AD.

Led by University of Eastern Finland

WP6 Manufacturing

WP6 will focus on developing GMP-like theragnostic agent batches which contain dual contrast agents for MRI and PET.

Led by Biotechpharma

WP7 Exploitation and Dissemination

WP7 will evaluate the performance of adequate regulatory pathway and future exploitation of results identified. Furthermore, it will work out appropriate dissemination of the project outcomes.

The WP7 will also look to create and maintain project’s website up to date with the latest information and materials developed in the scope of the project.

Led by Biotechpharma

WP8 Management

WP8 will ensure the efficient and effective management of the entire project, across its 5 year duration. The project coordinator will make sure that consortium partners are performing in accordance to the agreed Work Plan, communicating with the European Commission on a periodic basis to provide relevant updates on the project’s performance.

It will ensure results and outcomes are properly advertised and reach both international and national audiences, when relevant.

Led by SERGAS

WP9 Ethics

The objective is to guarantee compliance with Ethics requirements set out and needed during all project. Each partner involved will follow national laws applied.

Led by SERGAS

This project has received funding from the European Union´s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 686009

Contact

Clinical Neuroscience Research Laboratory
University Clinical Hospital Santiago
A Building, -4 Floor
E15706 A Coruña, Spain
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