Encapsulated magnetic nanoparticle-linked retroviral vectors

Our long term goal is to combine state-of-the-art retroviral vector technology and biocompatible synthetic membranes with functionalised magnetic nanoparticles in order to produce targeted, immunocamouflaged retroviral vectors for cancer gene therapy. Although infection and transcriptionaly targeted as well as replication competent retroviral vectors have been developed, two main barriers to efficient, non-invasive retroviral based gene therapy remain. Firstly, the efficient targeting and concentration of virus at the therapeutic site and secondly, the immune system, which prevents a large percentage of the applied therapeutic vectors from ever reaching the therapeutic site. This is why, in two different approaches, we intend to generate nano-sized, magnetic and PEGylated individual retroviral vector particles (MagnoVirus) as well as micro-sized, magnetically charged, polymer encapsulated high titre virus suspensions (MagnoCaps). Our long term goals are taken into consideration and mapped out in detail, however, it is stressed that the first main objective and research focus is proof of concept for the efficient and controlled association of magnetic nanoparticles with retroviral vectors. Based on current technologies, we have devised several novel strategies in order to achieve this and we will focus on two of these approaches. We believe that the successful completion of this part of the project alone will be of great benefit for the field of retrovirology as well as having great potential for further downstream applications such as gene therapy. MagnoVirus and MagnoCaps will then be established in vitro, tested and optimised in vivo and then moved into a clinical setting where they will enable anti-cancer retroviral particles to be efficiently delivered and released in high concentrations directly at the tumour site. This project has a high priority since it combines the disciplines of molecular virology, cell biology, nanotechnology, applied synthetic chemistry and metal physics in a novel and innovative research setting which has future potential as an effective cancer gene therapy tool.

Our long term goal is to combine state-of-the-art retroviral vector technology and biocompatible synthetic membranes with functionalised magnetic nanoparticles in order to produce targeted, immunocamouflaged retroviral vectors for cancer gene therapy. Although infection and transcriptionaly targeted as well as replication competent retroviral vectors have been developed, two main barriers to efficient, non-invasive retroviral based gene therapy remain. Firstly, the efficient targeting and concentration of virus at the therapeutic site and secondly, the immune system, which prevents a large percentage of the applied therapeutic vectors from ever reaching the therapeutic site. This is why, in two different approaches, we intend to generate nano-sized, magnetic and PEGylated individual retroviral vector particles (MagnoVirus) as well as micro-sized, magnetically charged, polymer encapsulated high titre virus suspensions (MagnoCaps). Our long term goals are taken into consideration and mapped out in detail, however, it is stressed that the first main objective and research focus is proof of concept for the efficient and controlled association of magnetic nanoparticles with retroviral vectors. Based on current technologies, we have devised several novel strategies in order to achieve this and we will focus on two of these approaches. We believe that the successful completion of this part of the project alone will be of great benefit for the field of retrovirology as well as having great potential for further downstream applications such as gene therapy. MagnoVirus and MagnoCaps will then be established in vitro, tested and optimised in vivo and then moved into a clinical setting where they will enable anti-cancer retroviral particles to be efficiently delivered and released in high concentrations directly at the tumour site. This project has a high priority since it combines the disciplines of molecular virology, cell biology, nanotechnology, applied synthetic chemistry and metal physics in a novel and innovative research setting which has future potential as an effective cancer gene therapy tool.