Academic CentreLead Beneficiary – University of Latvia (UL)
Objectives
1) Scientific and technical management and coordination.
2) Efficient organisation setup to support the project, with special attention paid to financial, logistics, information, coordination issues, quality and conformity to the European Commission (EC) rules and procedures.
3) Preparation of the technical and financial reports for the Commission.
Description
The overall coordination will be the responsibility of the UL. Project coordinator will be responsible for ensuring that correct procedures are carried out, and deadlines and obligations are met. This WP foresees the management and steering of the project, including administration, IPR aspects, legal and risk management, monitoring of the budget following the forecasted schedule and submitting the interim reports to the EC.
WP leaders will be appointed to prepare, carry out, disseminate and exploit the results and progress. Each leader will be responsible for his/her WP progress and deliverables. The WP2 tasks are constant and recurring. They are focusing on the scientific, technical and administrative support of the project participants
Task 2.1 – Preparation of Grant agreement
Task 2.2 – Scientific and technical coordination of the project
Task 2.3 – Administrative, legal and financial management of the project
Task 2.4 – IRP management of scientific results
Task 2.5 – Risks assessment, monitoring and mitigation
Deliverables
D1.1 – Data Management Plan
D1.2 – First progress report
D1.3 – Mid-term meeting
Lead Beneficiary – MB SensoGrafa
Objectives
The main objective of training WP is to increase R&D and personnel capacities of participant’s organisation. To reach this goal, consortium will set up the following WP’s objectives:
1) To organise effective training environment and knowledge transfer between consortium members;
2) To introduce new research business skills and methods in organisations’ activities and achieve the sustainable development strategies;
3) To provide ESR’s with new research and industrial skills and knowledge as well as with complementary skills (time management, business development; commercialisation, etc.) and assure their professional growth;
4) To provide sufficient influence of training programmes to knowledge transfer from idea to real products.
Description
Project partners are the experts in material science, nanotechnology, chemistry, additive manufacturing, spectroscopy, optical properties, as well as in commercialisation, business strategy development, IPR and complementary skills. Therefore, good training facilities will be offered to seconded researchers at the hosting organisations. Additionally, the associate partners will provide sufficient trainings in complementary skills and dissemination. The proposed tasks will be performed for knowledge transfer, for increasing the scientific excellence of the participating early stage and experienced researchers, and for the enhancement of intellectual "critical mass". Besides joint research efforts, discussions and finalisation of reporting documents, preparation of publications and conference abstracts and proceedings, lectures and scientific seminars are foreseen within each task of this WP. Secondment visits structured in 8 tasks will have a reporting period after the visit. Each seconded person will have a task in integration on acquired knowledge in home organisation. Trainings will be accompanied by research activities and separated into the following tasks:
Task 3.1 – Training in Ag NPs synthesis using NanoWave™ photoirradiation method, including control of size, shape and dispersion. Additional training in nanoparticles characterisation using TEM, SEM, Raman, FTIR and optical methods will be provided.
Task 3.2 – Training of visiting researchers in PDA synthesis, polymerisation and Ag NPs incapsulation are foreseen during the visits. Visiting researchers will be trained in NPs characterisation methods using optical methods, including photoluminescent and diffuse reflectance measurements and FTIR.
Task 3.3 – Visiting researchers will be trained in composite preparation techniques, including chemical synthesis, lyophilisation and electrospinning. AgNPs incorporation will be presented to visiting researchers. Different coating methods will be implemented, e.g. Plasma electrolytic oxidation and electro-thermal deposition with incorporation of AgNPs. Training in characterisation techniques will be provided, including SEM, XRD, EDX, and Raman.
Task 3.4 – Advanced training in bacteriological methods will be provided for visiting researchers, including safety protocols and protocols for bacterial selection, identification and biochemical assessment. Methods of AgNPs effectiveness assessment will be introduced to visiting researchers. Additionally, courses in state of the art fluorescence and confocal microscopy techniques will be provided for visiting researchers by UMU.
Task 3.5 – Visiting researchers will be trained in in-vitro assessment of nanoparticles’ biocompatibility and toxicity. Laboratory trainings will be provided to acquire new skills in cell culture techniques, laboratory procedures and metabolic assays. Different microscopy techniques will be delivered for visiting researchers with the aim of cell viability assessment.
Task 3.6 – Training in animal facilities will be provided for visiting researchers, starting from ethical issues and laboratory animal care. Surgical procedures, anesthesiology techniques will be delivered for visiting researchers. The full access to animal facility will be provided after successful completion of introduction course. SSU will provide training in sample collection and histology techniques.
Task 3.7 – Training of visiting researchers in dental prosthetics reconstructions. The dental ceramic crowns will be developed and optimised for the new nanoparticles sealing materials by digitalisation of the dental preparation and dedicated CNC mills for ceramic crown preparations. Such optimisation includes identification of the best spacing and volume between the dental surfaces and the ceramic crown, and optimal preparation angles to reach the best fit for longevity of the dental restoration.
Task 3.8 – Training of visiting ESR in project writing, research ethics, data management, manuscript preparation, reporting and oral presentation. Organisation of intensive training with involvement of associate partners in complementary skills (time management, dissemination, IPR), organised in the UL.
Deliverables
D2.1 – Report on training from the seconded organisation
D2.2 – ESR satisfaction questionnaires after each training event
Lead Beneficiary – Nanowave
Objectives
The general objective of this WP is development of technology methods for synthesis of AgNPs and nano-based composites and their investigation. To reach this objective the following intermediate tasks should be solved:
1) To produce silver nanoparticles with predicted structural and surface chemistry properties.
2) To provide assessment of structural, optical and chemical properties.
3) To provide surface functionalisation to decrease toxicity and accelerate effectiveness.
4) To develop complex HA-AgNPs and ceramic coatings.
Description
AgNPs with precise control of physico-chemical parameters (shape and size) will be synthesised with followed combining of them with hydroxyapatite through chemical technology. A thorough assessment/characterisation of their structural, chemical properties and speed of sorbtion, desorbtion will be performed. Secondment visits, structured in 4 tasks will have a preparatory period before the visit and a reporting period after the visit. In total, 65 secondment months allocated to complete the WP’s tasks.
Besides joint research efforts, discussions and finalisation of reporting documents, preparations of publications and conference thesis, lectures and scientific seminars are foreseen within in each task of this WP.
Task 4.1 – To produce silver nanoparticles with predicted structural and surface chemistry properties. Within this task the visits from UL (12 months), UMU (12 months) and SG (2 months) are foreseen to the NW.
Task 4.2 – To provide assessment of structural, optical and chemical properties. Within this task the visits from UL (10 months), SSU (6 months), and UMU (10 months) are foreseen to the SG.
Task 4.3 – To provide surface functionalisation to decrease toxicity and accelerate effectiveness (UL). Within this task the visits from SG (7 months) are foreseen to the UL.
Task 4.4 – To develop complex HA-AgNPs and ceramic coatings (SSU). Within this task the visits from UMU (6 months) are foreseen to the SSU.
Deliverables
D3.1 – Protocol on AgNPs and nano-based composite synthesis and characterisation
D3.2 – Results on AgNPs-based composites fabrications
Lead Beneficiary – Umeå University (UMU)
Objectives
The general objective of this WP is to assess the biocompatibility and the cell and systemic toxicity of newly-produced AgNPs and AgNPs-HA composites and their effectiveness to dental application. To reach this objective the following intermediate tasks will be solved:
1) To assess antibacterial potential of as-prepared and surface-modified AgNPs against laboratory strains.
2) To investigate effectiveness of HA-AgNPs and coated ceramic materials.
3) To investigate gain of effectiveness of dental root canal sealers supplemented with HA-AgNPs.
4) To assess biocompatibility and cell toxicity.
5) To develop ex-vivo model and investigate material’s effectiveness.
6) To assess general toxicity of AgNPs in real-scale animal model.
Description
Biocompatibility and the cell and systemic toxicity of AgNPs and HA-AgNPs composites will be performed using comprehensive approach. Secondment visits, structured in 4 tasks, will have a preparatory period before the visit and a reporting period after the visit. In total, 39 secondment months allocated to complete the WP’s tasks. Task leaders (Lead participants) of each Task are marked in a bold font. WP5 Leader is UMU team. Besides joint research efforts, discussions and finalisation of reporting documents, preparations of publications and conference thesis, lectures and scientific seminars are foreseen within in each task of this WP.
Task 5.1 – To assess antibacterial potential of as-prepared and surface-modified AgNPs, including control of size, shape and dispersion against relevant dental and medical reference strains. Within this task the visits from the SSU (5 months) are foreseen to the UMU.
Task 5.2 – To investigate the effectiveness of HA-AgNPs and coated ceramic materials. The antibacterial activity and level of bacteriostatic efficiency of the HA-AgNPs particles will be compared and analysed for dispersed HA-AgNPs particles, vs. HA-AgNPs immobilized on surfaces of relevance for the oral environment, such as hydroxyapatite, composite restoration materials and ceramic crown materials (UMU). Within this task the visits from NW (2 months) are foreseen to the UMU.
Task 5.3 – To investigate the effectiveness of HA-AgNPs in dental root canal sealing materials. The antibacterial activity and level of bacteriostatic efficiency of the HA-AgNPs particles will be tested in a dental, i.e. tooth model, for prevention of bacterial leakage through the root canals. The tooth model will be developed base on extracted intact teeth, based on orthodontics treatment procedures (a consequence of dental overcrowding). The teeth will be opened, root canals prepared, and immobilised in a test bench for evaluation of bacterial leakage. With this innovative and dedicated test system, the AgNPs reinforced root canal sealer materials will be tested during conditions which will be most similar to the in vivo dental situation. Within this task the visits from the SSU (14 months) and the UL (8 months) are foreseen to the UDAB.
Task 5.4 – To assess biocompatibility and cell toxicity of as-prepared and surface-modified AgNPs, by use FDI/US approved reference cell lineages for toxicity tests (SSU). The cells will be exposed to the AgNPs material according to standard procedures for evaluation of toxicity, including possible apoptosis and DNA fragmentation tests. Within this task visits from the UL (4 months) are foreseen to the SSU.
Task 5.5 – To investigate the general toxicity for real model of root canal filling on the mini-pigs animal model. During this task we will investigate the target organ’s reaction at the early and long-term postoperative periods. Within this task the visits from the SG (4 months) and the NW (2 months) are foreseen to the SSU.
Deliverables
D4.1 – Technical report on results of AgNPs and HA-AgNPs materials antimicrobial effectiveness against standard and clinical strains
D4.2 – Data on AgNPs and HA-AgNPs materials biocompatibility and cell toxicity
D4.3 – Protocols of AgNPs in-vivo safety
Lead Beneficiary – UDAB
Objectives
The overall objective of this WP is to transfer the research-based knowledge to companies and organisations that may adopt the usage of AgNPs for dental application. Particularly, the specific objectives are:
1) To promote the project among the relevant stakeholders including the general public, scientific community, policy makers, and medical market players.
2) To ensure that all the data generate in the project is findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable (FAIR).
3) To disseminate the project results among the main stakeholders to maximise the benefits of the results obtained in the project for maximum societal benefit.
4) To use the results for their commercial exploitation to find and make available in the market new concepts of AgNPs treatment concept.
Description
Description of work and role of specific beneficiaries/associated partners broken down and listed into numbered tasks including the following details:
Task 6.1 – Dissemination and Communication Plan [UL]
Task 6.2 – Development of tools and material for dissemination and communication of activities [UMU]
Task 6.3 – Development and maintenance of ARGO website [SSU]
Task 6.4 – Participation and organisation of events [all partners]
Task 6.5 – Plan for the Exploitation of the Results [NW]
Deliverables
D5.1 – Dissemination and exploitation plan
D5.2 – Website
D5.3 – Strategy for Knowledge Management and Protection
Lead Beneficiary – UL
Objectives
The objective is to ensure compliance with the "ethics requirements" set out in this work package.
Description
This work package sets out the "ethics requirements" that the project must comply with.
Deliverables
D6.1 – OEI – Requirement No. 1
D6.2 – OEI – Requirement No. 2
D6.3 – OEI – Requirement No. 3