Project description
A bio-digital twin model of the human brain to change the face of precision medicine
Bio-digital twin models of the human brain comprise a cutting-edge technology that aims to create a miniaturised cellular model of an individual’s brain using a combination of stem cell technology and advanced analysis of neural network activity. Funded by the European Innovation Council and led by a consortium of scientists, the 3D-BrAIn project will develop a bio-digital twin model of the human brain that is personalised, precise and predictive. Its overall mission is to revolutionise personalised precision medicine for central nervous system disorders. Specifically, the project will combine three ground-breaking technologies: a novel human brain modelling technology using 3D cortical organoid cultures, a state-of-the-art 3D multi-electrode array technology for high-resolution electrophysiological recordings, and tailored automated machine learning algorithms to analyse large data sets.
Objective
The long-term vision of the 3D-BrAIn consortium is to revolutionize personalized precision medicine for central nervous system (CNS)
disorders, by developing an innovative bio-digital twin model of the human brain that is personalized, precise, and predictive.
In this pathfinder project we bring together three breakthrough technologies: 1) a novel, highly reproducible human brain modelling
technology using robust adherent iPSC-derived 3D cortical organoid cultures, 2) a unique, state-of-the-art 3D multi-electrode array
(MEA) technology for non-invasive high-resolution electrophysiological recordings and 3) a novel approach to analyse and interpret
the large quantities of functional data using tailored automated machine learning (ML)-based algorithms.
With this breakthrough approach we overcome significant hurdles that made it thus far impossible to create a truly representative
and functional model of the CNS for personalized medicine, drug screening and neurotoxicity testing. The revolutionary 3D-BrAIn
high-precision CNS platform will allow robust and accurate modelling of the CNS for a broad range of neuropsychiatric diseases.
Ultimately, the 3D-BrAIn technology will be translatable to multiple other organ systems (cardiomyocytes, pancreatic islets, retina), to
non-invasively obtain longitudinal 3D high-resolution electrophysiological recordings and effectively interpret them.
In this project a prototype of the 3D-BrAIn platform will be developed by growing functional 3D organoids that faithfully resemble
the human cortex on 3D MEA micropillar electrodes, enabling continuous functional monitoring and by developing ML-based
algorithms that can process and interpret the large spatiotemporal data sets. Once all individual components are optimized and
integrated, proof-of-concept will be obtained by validating the platform for two of the envisaged applications: CNS drug
development and neurotoxicity screening.
Fields of science
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesneurobiology
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacydrug discovery
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicineophthalmology
- medical and health scienceshealth sciencespersonalized medicine
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencesartificial intelligencemachine learning
Keywords
Programme(s)
- HORIZON.3.1 - The European Innovation Council (EIC) Main Programme
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-EIC - HORIZON EIC GrantsCoordinator
3015 GD Rotterdam
Netherlands