Project description
Biomedical research with human-based organs-on-chips
Traditional animal testing is often unreliable when it comes to predicting human responses. Current preclinical models also fail to replicate the complexity of human diseases, which limits their usefulness. This creates a challenge for researchers trying to understand diseases and test new treatments. To overcome it, a more accurate, human-based approach is needed. In this context, the EU-funded PHOENIX project will develop next-generation organs-on-chips (OoC). This technology mimics human tissues more closely, providing a better platform for studying diseases. PHOENIX will create two platforms, μHeart for cardiac tissues and μNMC for neuro-muscular circuits, addressing limitations in current OoC models. By reducing reliance on animal testing, PHOENIX will help speed up the development of safer drugs and therapies.
Objective
PHOENIX aims to revolutionise biomedical research by developing the next generation human-based Organs-on-chips (OoC). OoC is a promising technology potentially able to outperform conventional preclinical models in providing patho-physiologically relevant setting for investigating human diseases, thus tackling the limited translational value of animal testing. OoC wide adoption is currently hampered by poor maturation of cellular models and shortage of non-destructive readout methods. PHOENIX will take current OoC platforms to the next level, overcoming such limitations by integration of core technologies already validated by the Consortium, namely Electric Recording (3dMEA), Force Sensing (3dFORCE) and Mechanical Stimulation (3dMECH).
Two platforms will be developed: i) μHeart, to model functional cardiac tissues, and ii) μNMC to model neuro-muscular circuits. PHOENIX ecosystem will be completed by satellite products and qualified against specific contexts of use in clinically and industrially relevant environments. PHOENIX potential will be showcased with two genetic pathologies as demonstrators: LMNA-cardiomyopathies and Freidreich’s Ataxia, conditions in which electrical instability and mechanical impairment play important roles. For each platform, two versions will be released (Base and Pro), addressing the need of identified customer segments (research labs and Pharma/Biotech).
In line with the 3Rs, PHOENIX platforms represent the ideal clinically relevant tools to test drugs and gene therapies, leading to faster/safer development processes, reducing the need for animal testing. Robust dissemination, exploitation and communication activities will address both key stakeholders (OoC players, end-users, end-beneficiaries and regulatory bodies) and society at large, fostering acceptance, adoption, economic viability and regulatory compliance.
PHOENIX will last 4 years with a Consortium comprising 9 partners (Academic, SMEs and LEs) from 4 EU Countries.
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: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
This project's classification has been validated by the project's team.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
This project's classification has been validated by the project's team.
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology genetic engineering gene therapy
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology cells technologies stem cells
- natural sciences physical sciences electromagnetism and electronics microelectronics
- engineering and technology other engineering and technologies microtechnology organ on a chip
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy
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.
-
HORIZON.2.1 - Health
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme -
HORIZON.2.1.5 - Tools, Technologies and Digital Solutions for Health and Care, including personalised medicine
See all projects funded under this programme
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
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
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-HLTH-2024-TOOL-05-two-stage
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
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.
20133 Milano
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.