Synthesis of peptide and protein biohybrids with improved features (C01)

• Subject Area: Analytical Chemistry ; Biochemistry ; Biological and Biomimetic Chemistry ; Hematology, Oncology
• Term: since 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 316249678

The project will design smart therapeutic peptide nanocarriers and validate them for multimodal treatment of the tumor microenvironment in breast cancer (BC) bone metastasis. Modulating the bone microenvironment will be achieved by combined delivery of Rho-inhibiting bacterial C3 protein toxin modulating osteoclasts with EPI-X4 peptides as well as antimicrobial peptides inducing anticancer effects. A three-dimensional tumor spheroid model consisting of metastatic BC cells and osteoclasts will be used to characterize stability and release of the peptides and peptide nanocarriers and to understand their impact on cellular interactions. The multi-cargo delivery and controlled release technologies will be validated and distributed to other CRC projects.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1279: Exploiting the Human Peptidome for Novel Antimicrobial and Anticancer Agents
• Applicant Institution: Universität Ulm
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Holger Barth, since 7/2021; Professor Dr. Markus Otto, until 6/2021; Professorin Dr. Tanja Weil