Project description DEENESFRITPL 3D thyroid gland models for screening endocrine disruptors Three-dimensional (3D) cell assays more faithfully mimic the structure and function of native tissue, offering better test-models for biology, biochemistry and drug discovery studies. The EU-funded SCREENED project is working on native thyroid gland organoids, decellularised scaffolds or bioprinted constructs that house tissue-specific cells. Using these assays, researchers are investigating the effect of endocrine-disrupting chemicals on thyroid function offering a mechanistic understanding of their mode of action. Results will validate the sensitivity and specificity of these in vitro assays compared to existing 2D cell cultures and animal models. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective SCREENED will develop 3 different three-dimensional (3D) in vitro assays based on rodent and human thyroid cell constructs. At different level of anatomical complexity, these assays will increasingly mimic the structure and function of the native thyroid gland, ultimately achieving the replication of its vascular anatomy and morphogenetic characteristics: 1) a 3D organoid based on stem-cell derived thyroid cells, 2) a decellularized scaffold able to reproduce the biological composition of a native thyroid, repopulated by the 3D organoids, and 3) a bioprinted construct with the 3D organoids able to mimic the spatial and geometrical architecture of a native thyroid. These 3D assays will be hosted in a modular microbioreactor equipped with innovative sensing technology and enabling precise control of cell culture conditions. New superparamagnetic biocompatible and biomimetic particles will be used to produce “magnetic cells” to support precise spatiotemporal homing of the cells in the 3D decellularized and bioprinted constructs. The 3D assays will be used to screen the effect of endocrine disruptors (EDs) on the thyroid function in a unique biological sex-specific approach. Their performance will be assessed individually, in comparison with each other, and against in vivo studies. The 3D assays are expected to predict with more sensitivity and specificity the thyroid responses to different classes of EDs at low doses, compared to classical 2D in vitro assays or animal models. Supporting the “Adverse Outcome Pathway” concept, proteogenomics analysis and biological modelling of the underlying mode of action will be used to gain a mechanistic understanding of the chain of events from exposure to adverse effects on thyroid development and function.For future uptake, SCREENED will engage discussion with relevant stakeholder groups, including regulatory bodies and industry, to ensure that the assays are fit for purpose for ED safety assessment Keywords endocrine disruptors 3D cell culture thyroid organoids decellularized extracellular matrix bioprinting organ-on-chip Programme(s) H2020-EU.3.1. - SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Health, demographic change and well-being Main Programme H2020-EU.3.1.1. - Understanding health, wellbeing and disease Topic(s) SC1-BHC-27-2018 - New testing and screening methods to identify endocrine disrupting chemicals Call for proposal H2020-SC1-BHC-2018-2020 See other projects for this call Sub call H2020-SC1-2018-Single-Stage-RTD Funding Scheme RIA - Research and Innovation action Coordinator UNIVERSITEIT MAASTRICHT Net EU contribution € 1 964 076,82 Address Minderbroedersberg 4 6200 MD Maastricht Netherlands See on map Region Zuid-Nederland Limburg (NL) Zuid-Limburg Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 1 964 076,82 Participants (8) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI PARMA Italy Net EU contribution € 555 000,00 Address Via universita 12 43121 Parma See on map Region Nord-Est Emilia-Romagna Parma Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 555 000,00 UNIVERSITE LIBRE DE BRUXELLES Belgium Net EU contribution € 619 200,00 Address Avenue franklin roosevelt 50 1050 Bruxelles / brussel See on map Region Région de Bruxelles-Capitale/Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest Région de Bruxelles-Capitale/ Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest Arr. de Bruxelles-Capitale/Arr. Brussel-Hoofdstad Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 619 200,00 CONSIGLIO NAZIONALE DELLE RICERCHE Italy Net EU contribution € 400 000,00 Address Piazzale aldo moro 7 00185 Roma See on map Region Centro (IT) Lazio Roma Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 400 000,00 PRESENS PRECISION SENSING GMBH Germany Net EU contribution € 493 750,00 Address Am biopark 11 93053 Regensburg See on map SME The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed. Yes Region Bayern Oberpfalz Regensburg, Kreisfreie Stadt Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 493 750,00 UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND, DUBLIN Ireland Net EU contribution € 127 306,50 Address Belfield 4 Dublin See on map Region Ireland Eastern and Midland Dublin Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 127 306,50 ATTUROS LIMITED Ireland Net EU contribution € 515 854,18 Address 45 dale view park killiney A96 E8H2 Dublin See on map SME The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed. Yes Region Ireland Eastern and Midland Dublin Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 515 854,18 ARTTIC France Net EU contribution € 563 497,50 Address 39 rue des mathurins 75008 Paris See on map Region Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Paris Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 563 497,50 CYPROTEX DISCOVERY LIMITED United Kingdom Net EU contribution € 416 403,75 Address 114 innovation drive milton park OX14 4RZ Abingdon oxfordshire See on map Region South East (England) Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Oxfordshire Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 416 403,75