SmartGene.Si
Gene therapy is a therapeutic strategy where genes are used instead of medication. The main goal of gene therapy is to insert a functional gene, which plays the role of a medicine, in a target cell. The gene is inserted in the cells in a form of vectors such as viruses or plasmid DNA. Plasmid DNA in inserted in the cells by various techniques, electroporation is often used in order to reach the goal. Plasmid DNA that is intended for gene therapy with human patients in produced in bacteria Escherichia coli in accordance with good manufacturing practice (GMP) guidelines. Gene therapy begins with the
choice of a therapeutic gene followed by insertion of the gene in a vector and production of a vector, which contain the therapeutic gene, and ends with the introduction of the vector in a patient. Before trials can be carried out on humans, the therapeutic genes and vectors need to be tested on cells in vitro and on animals in vivo.
Project SmartGene.Si will address the challenges of gene therapy from therapeutic gene to production and delivery to patients with innovative and globally useful solutions. The main goal of project SmartGene.Si is transfer of innovative cancer treatment, which has already been developed by SmartGene.Si consortium, into clinical trials. Gene therapy treatment, which was evaluated in preclinical trials in vivo, will be further tested on small animals in phase I of the clinical trials. A new device for insertion of genes in vectors with technique of electroporation will be developed. In order to ease and enable the study of gene therapy, a new innovative process of vector production will be developed and transfered on a new concept of good manufacturing practice ("Smart" GMP). All goals of project SmartGene.Si are based on knowledge and intelectual property of SmartGene.Si consortium partners.
Project coordinator: Institute of Oncology Ljubljana
Project partners: Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Iskra PIO d.o.o., Jafral d.o.o., CO BIK; University of Ljubljana Faculty of Electrical Engineering
Start of the project: 1.7.2018
End of the project: 30.6.2021
Total value of co-financing of the project: 1.998.414,50 EUR
The operation is partially funded by European Union from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and by Ministry of Education, Science and Sport.
The operation is carried out within Operational programme for the implementation of the EU cohesion policy in the period 2014-2020; priority axe 1
International competitiveness of research, innovation and technological development in line with smart specialisation for enhanced competitiveness and greening of the economy; investment priority 1.1 Enhancing research and innovation (R&I) infrastructure and capacities to develop R&I excellence, and promoting centres of competence, in particular those of European interest; specific goal 1.1.1 Efficient use of the research infrastructure and development of knowledge/competences to improve national and international collaboration in the knowledge triangle.
More information about the project can be found on the project website.
