Project description
Microencapsulation technique for precision probiotics
Over the past century, gut microbiota has been linked to various health issues and non-communicable diseases. Probiotics offer a promising solution to restore a healthy microbiome, but their sensitivity to oxygen, moisture, heat and gastric acid limits their effectiveness in prevention and treatment. In this context, the EU-funded iNSIGHT project aims to develop precision probiotics through an innovative microencapsulation technique. The project will create customisable microcapsules designed to protect sensitive probiotics and ensure their targeted delivery after passing through the stomach. Focusing on bi-gel-based formulations for superior protection, it will also use a gut-on-a-chip microfluidic device to study controlled probiotic release. Machine learning will automate the investigation of digestion kinetics and the synthesis of microcapsules.
Objective
Over the past century, drastic lifestyle changes have caused disbalanced gut microbiota, which has been linked to various health conditions and noncommunicable diseases. Probiotics are a promising route for restoring a healthy gut microbiome, but their inherent sensitivity towards oxygen-, water-, heat and/or gastric acid greatly hampers their widespread application in disease prevention and treatment programs. iNSIGHT solves this longstanding challenge by realizing precision probiotics via a novel and disruptive microencapsulation approach.
We set ourselves the goal to investigate and develop a tunable microcapsule formulation and scalable encapsulation process for the protection and targeted post-stomach delivery of sensitive probiotic formulations. Specifically, we will work on unique bi-gel-based microencapsulation formulations that are expected to provide unsurpassed protection to probiotics. To study the structural breakdown of capsules and thereby the controlled release of probiotics, we will develop and test a novel gut-on-a-chip microfluidic device. To obtain more in-depth knowledge as well as prepare for high-throughput screenings, we incorporate machine learning for i) automated investigation of digestion kinetics under personalizable conditions and ii) automated in-line identification, evaluation, and adjustment of microcapsule synthesis. As a proof of concept, we will leverage our encapsulation and screening platforms to protect a sensitive next-generation strain and make our precision probiotics formulation available to patients via personalized treatment of a patient cohort under pharmacy legislation.
iNSIGHT forms the basis for protection and delivery of sensitive probiotic ingredients, and thereby contributes to the prevention, alleviation, and/or treatment of myriad health conditions related to unhealthy gut microbiota.
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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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.3.1 - The European Innovation Council (EIC)
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-EIC - HORIZON EIC 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) HORIZON-EIC-2024-PATHFINDEROPEN-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.
6708 PB Wageningen
Netherlands
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.