Tina Vermonden awarded with Open Competition Domain Science – XS

The NWO Domain Board Science has awarded 26 applications in the Open Competition Domain Science – XS. Each project could apply for a maximum of 50.000 euros.

Flowers versus Stars to Beat Cancer

prof. dr. ir. T. Vermonden (University of Utrecht)

Nanomedicines have more and more applications in the clinic, especially in cancer therapy. For effective treatment, it is of utmost importance that the drug-loaded nanoparticles reach their target (the tumor). However, the immune system starts to recognize the nanoparticles upon repeated intravenous administration leading to rapid clearance from the blood circulation, which prevents nanomedicines to reach the tumor. This project focusses on design and development of nanomedicines that are invisible for the immune system, thereby improving the therapeutic outcome for these formulations, particularly upon repeated treatments. This technology may have high impact for nanomedicine-based therapies, also far beyond cancer therapy.