Project description DEENESFRITPL Innovative non-animal brain-organoid model for neurodegeneration research The aging European population faces a growing increase in neurodegenerative diseases (NDD) associated with dementia and loss of motor functions in the case of Parkinson’s disease. The EU-funded OpenMIND project aims to introduce an innovative disease modelling concept called connectoids. It will represent in vitro human optoelectronic multi-regional brain-organoid model of connectoids that are formed by brain organoids connected via hydrogel tracts for axonal functional signalling. Each organoid will contain light-controlled specific neurons and penetrating electrodes and waveguides to monitor neurotransmitter signalling inside and between the organoids. The revolutionary model will enable the visualisation and evaluation of particular brain region responses to a certain therapy in real time. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective A major challenge facing Europe is its ageing population and associated increase in diagnosed cases of neurodegenerative diseases (NDD). Parkinson’s disease (PD) is associated with tremor and loss of motor functions due to progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the brain. This can lead to memory loss and dementia, which is associated with short- and long-term injuries and disabilities with emotional, financial, and social burdens for patients, families, and society. The exact causes and mechanisms underlying PD are still unknown and existing treatments focus on alleviating symptoms and increasing quality of life, but do not halt or reverse disease progression. Although animal models give unique possibilities to study physiological and behavioural mechanisms, drug development fails due to lack of translation to humans. Alternative non-animal NDD models is needed both in terms of better translation, but also to replace expensive and problematic animal experiments.We will move disease modelling to a new level and replace animal models, by creating a new concept we call connectoids. We will develop an ex-vivo-type in vitro human opto-electronic multi-regional brain-organoid disease model in which connectoids are formed by precise spatial arrangement of brain organoids connected via hydrogel tracts that promote axonal pathfinding, functional connection, and signalling. By developing 1) light controllable sub-type specific neurons within regionalized brain organoids, and 2) electrodes and waveguides that can penetrate the organoids able to monitor neurotransmitter signalling inside and between the organoids, we will for the first time be able to sense how a particular brain region responds to a certain therapy and watch in real time how signals are transmitted to other brain regions. Our model will not only have health benefit, but will relieve a heavy economic burden on society, and open up for new possibilities for technological and economic development. Fields of science medical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacydrug discoverynatural sciencesphysical scienceselectromagnetism and electronicsoptoelectronicsmedical and health sciencesbasic medicineneurologydementiamedical and health sciencesbasic medicineneurologyparkinson Programme(s) HORIZON.3.1 - The European Innovation Council (EIC) Main Programme HORIZON.3.1.1 - The Pathfinder for Advanced Research Topic(s) HORIZON-EIC-2021-PATHFINDEROPEN-01-01 - EIC Pathfinder Open 2021 Call for proposal HORIZON-EIC-2021-PATHFINDEROPEN-01 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme HORIZON-AG - HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based Coordinator DANMARKS TEKNISKE UNIVERSITET Net EU contribution € 1 233 076,25 Address Anker engelunds vej 101 2800 Kongens lyngby Denmark See on map Region Danmark Hovedstaden Københavns omegn 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 Other funding € 0,00 Participants (4) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all LUNDS UNIVERSITET Sweden Net EU contribution € 669 990,00 Address Paradisgatan 5c 22100 Lund See on map Region Södra Sverige Sydsverige Skåne län 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 Other funding € 0,00 UNIVERSIDAD AUTONOMA DE MADRID Spain Net EU contribution € 678 750,00 Address Calle einstein 3 ciudad univ cantoblanco rectorado 28049 Madrid See on map Region Comunidad de Madrid Comunidad de Madrid Madrid 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 Other funding € 0,00 BICO GROUP AB Participation ended Sweden Net EU contribution € 0,00 Address Arvid wallgrens backe 20 413 46 Goteborg 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 Södra Sverige Västsverige Västra Götalands län 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 Other funding € 0,00 CELLINK BIOPRINTING AB Sweden Net EU contribution € 410 387,50 Address Langfilsgatan 7 412 77 Goteborg See on map Region Södra Sverige Västsverige Västra Götalands län 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 Other funding € 0,00
