Project description
A vascularised 3D brain model for neurodegeneration
Neurodegenerative diseases are a growing health problem with limited treatments due to the lack of human-relevant experimental models. Existing 3D brain tissue models lack brain-specific vasculature, a key component in understanding neurodegeneration. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the OMNIBUS project aims to address this by creating improved models of brain diseases capable of mimicking vascularisation in vitro. The researchers will first investigate how neural cells influence vessel formation and identify factors that drive vascularisation. Then, using human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) they will produce different brain cells and generate a fully vascularised 3D brain model. The goal is to reduce reliance on animal studies and accelerate the discovery of new therapies.
Objective
Neurodegeneration is a major health concern affecting millions of individuals in Europe, with this number constantly increasing as population ages. A cure for this spectrum of conditions is still missing, in part due to differences between available experimental models and human pathophysiology.
My aim is to develop an in vitro 3D brain tissue model that combine the major brain cell types (obtained from human induced pluripotent stem cells - iPSCs) also including vascular cells, for better resembling the human brain. Currently, the available in vitro 3D brain tissue models lack a functional vasculature with brain-specific features, thus limiting the possibility to study (vascular-related) pathophysiology. Transplantation is still the only strategy leading to an extensive and functional vascularization of 3D brain models.
I will combine -omics technologies for optimizing the vascularization of 3D brain tissue models. First, I will investigate whether factors released by iPSC-derived neurons and their precursor cells can promote vessel formation by the endothelium. Second, I will determine which changes occur in 3D brain tissue models upon transplantation compared with in vitro culture. I will then reproduce the identified drivers of this process for obtaining a fully in vitro vascularized 3D brain tissue model, without the need for transplantation. Finally, I will show that the manipulation of this vascularized 3D models allows for studying the vascular contribution to mechanisms of neurodegeneration and for evaluating possible intervention strategies.
The optimization of in vitro vascularized 3D brain tissue models will facilitate reducing costs and number of experimental animals. Also, their ease of manipulation and high-throughput will facilitate mechanism investigation and drug screening.
Altogether, the MSCA fellowship will allow me to work on a relevant project while building critical skills for continuing my career as an independent researcher.
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.
- natural sciences biological sciences neurobiology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology pathophysiology
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine transplantation
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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.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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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-MSCA-2024-PF-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.
80539 MUNCHEN
Germany
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.