Project description
Multi-organ on-a-chip platform for cancer metastasis
Metastasis is one of the hallmarks of cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. The complex process of metastasis involves the detachment of cancer cells, invasion into surrounding tissues, entry into the bloodstream or lymphatic system, and colonisation of new sites. Conventional in vitro and in vivo models fail to replicate the complex processes of metastasis, prompting the need for better understanding. The ERC-funded ARACHNID project aims to develop a multi-organ on-a-chip platform to accurately simulate the process of metastasis. This innovative tool will be designed to accelerate research and boost the development of new treatments, particularly for paediatric tumours such as neuroblastoma.
Objective
Despite the improvements in cancer treatments, diagnostic tools and prevention/early detection strategies, cancer is still a major public health burden as one of the 6 leading causes of death worldwide. In 2020, 90% of the 10 million deaths registered out of 19.3 million new cancer diagnoses were associated not with primary tumors but with the secondary ones generated by the metastatic process.
The complex time-dependent chain of events and cascades of biophysical and biochemical factors regulating tumor metastasis cannot be replicated using conventional in vitro cell models (such as transwell invasion and scratch/wound healing assays) nor in vivo animal models. The scientific and medical communities are striving to better understand the steps of metastatic spreading to devise strategies to stop its occurrence, especially in pediatric oncology, as in the case of Neuroblastoma, the most common and difficult to treat among tumors of preschool age (15% of pediatric oncology deaths).
To solve these limitations we propose ARACHNID, a unique, multiplexed, automated, and increased-throughput multi-organ on a-chip platform conceived around the complex process of cancer metastatic spread. The project's potential for breakthrough innovation resides in its unique capabilities, promising to accelerate research, reduce costs, and contribute to the development of more effective cancer treatments.
The ARACHNID project aims to explore and prove the technical-commercial potential of our proprietary tumor-metastasis-on-a-chip (TMOC) platform, starting from pediatric tumors and extending the application to adult cancers, involving Biogenera, biotechnological SME operating the pharma NB domain, as a testbed and early adopter.
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.
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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)
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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.
35122 Padova
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.