Project description
Novel solution for studying model biological systems in space
Long-term missions in space are inefficient and dangerous for humans due to the risks of high radiation exposure. Unfortunately, solutions have yet to be found. One reason for this is that it’s also difficult to carry out the necessary research. The EU-funded ALCYONE project aims to change this by developing an innovative analytical platform. In conjunction with new technologies, it will allow for research and analysis in situ of space environment effects on model biological systems and further contribute to researching novel shielding solutions. The project will design a lab-on-chip with thin-film sensors and actuators that will use bioluminescence to study cell culture and radiation effects on it during space missions.
Objective
The project aims at the design and realization of a new analytical platform implementing a series of innovative technologies able to provide a highly-integrated solution for the analysis in-situ of the effects of the space environment on model biological systems and for the evaluation of shielding technologies combined with radioprotective agents. The main objective of the project will be achieved through the development of a lab-on-chip device with integrated thin-film sensors and actuators that will implement an extremely compact cell-incubator capable to sample the status of the cell culture during a space mission using real-time monitoring techniques based on bioluminescence. Genetically modified microorganisms will be designed in order to monitor specific stress responses based on a luciferase-based reporter system. An electronic system will be integrated in the platform for the characterization of the radiation environment allowing to evaluate the correlation between observed biological effects and radiation exposure.
The main features of the proposed technology include low power consumption, extreme compactness, high data efficiency and full automation making it suitable for cubesat missions. In particular, a complete cubesat payload will be designed to address and solve any integration issue and to provide a test bench for a preliminary set of experiments to be carried out on ground facilities simulating the deep space environment. The proposed system will therefore represent a key element to pave the route toward deep space human mission as it offers the possibility to test the effects of long term exposure to the space environment on model biological systems using simple platforms as cubesats. This opens new scenarios where minor effort
will be required to plan multiple low-cost missions for improving the risk modeling and for testing new countermeasures in a continuous-improvement scheme.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology other engineering and technologies microtechnology lab on a chip
- social sciences sociology industrial relations automation
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering sensors
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.2.4 - Digital, Industry and Space
MAIN PROGRAMME
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HORIZON.2.4.10 - Space, including Earth Observation
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-RIA - HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-CL4-2022-SPACE-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
00185 Roma
Italy
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.