MERCURY

Development of multidimensional in vitro model mimicking the osteosarcoma CSCs-tumour microenvironment complexity

Principal investigator: Monica Montesi

Personnel involved: Silvia Panseri, Giada Bassi, Mohamed Saqawa, Lorenzo Apolloni

Starting date: 30/11/2023
Duration: 24 months
Total funding: 224.896,00 €
Action: PRIN: PROGETTI DI RICERCA DI RILEVANTE INTERESSE NAZIONALE – Bando 2022
CNR-ISSMC role: Coordinator
Coordinator: Monica Montesi
Consortium: 3 partners: Prof. Angela Scala (Università di Messina), Prof. Donatella Canistro (Università di Bologna)

MERCURY proposes the development of multidimensional in vitro models (3D-MMo) as advanced and alternative cell culture systems that mimic the biological complexity of osteosarcoma. More predictive preclinical models will be developed following the tumor engineering approach with the aim of increasing the success of basic and applied in vitro studies for the development of new therapies to treat osteosarcoma. A hot topic in biomedical science is the implementation of more predictive in vitro models of human tissues to significantly improve the knowledge of physiological or pathological processes, drug discovery and screening.

Three research units will carry out the project, several technologies and professionality flow into MERCURY and will work in synergy with a strong crossover to achieve this challenge, to promote the national research system and to strengthen the interactions between universities and research institutions in line with the objectives set out in the Plan National Recovery and Resilience (PNRR).