Project description
Solving the mysteries of the gut-brain connection
Understanding the intricate connection between bodily signals and overall well-being has long been a challenge in both medical and scientific communities. While research has highlighted the significance of gastrointestinal (GI) functions in physical and mental health, the tools to comprehensively explore this link have been lacking. Existing ingestible devices fail to provide the necessary precision and depth needed to unravel the complexities of GI physiology and its impact on human and animal well-being. In this context, the ERC-funded DeepDive project emerges as a pioneering effort aimed at revolutionising our understanding of GI functions through innovative ingestible technology.
Objective
Expanding on the eHONESTY ERC project about the link between body and moral decisions, the DeepDive PoC proposal aims to explore the neglected role of deep-body signals in modulating physical/mental health in humans and animals through the radically new approach of using ingestibles for mapping gastrointestinal (GI) physiology. Crucially, although the market of ingestible devices is burgeoning, none of the existing products has the features needed for probing the link between GI dys/functions and physical/mental well-being in humans and animals. To fill this outstanding gap, the DeepDive project aims to develop and test a class of ingestibles that can capture from different tracts of the GI system (e.g. stomach, small/large intestine), physiological signals like endoluminal pH, pressure, and temperature with unprecedented accuracy and precision; and, remarkably, add causation to correlation by recording the GI neurons' activity before and after their electrical perturbation. The inert capsules will be produced by: i) assembling specific components created using 3D printing and ii) integrating a number of microscopic components ranging from solid state pH, temperature, and pressure sensors to A/DD/A Microconverter and RF Radio 2.4 GHz, in a sub-centimetric space. GI functions at rest and in conditions of social stress will be tested in piglets using the new ingestible and in humans using commercial pills. All the steps towards patenting and obtaining permission for use in humans of the novel ingestible will be taken, and existing contacts with industrial partners and biomedical devices approval offices will be strengthened. Given the link of gastroenterology with physical/mental dys/functions and human/animal well-being, the project will have significant benefits at neuroscientific, medical, and societal levels. Moreover, since the global market of ingestible sensors is expected to exceed $14 billions by 2026, DeepDive will likely have key economic implications.
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 electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering sensors
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine gastroenterology
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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.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants
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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) ERC-2023-POC
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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.