Objective
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) affect millions worldwide and have complex causes, including genetic predisposition, environmental factors, drug use, and aging. Currently, there is no cure for most NDs, with treatments mostly aiming to alleviate symptoms and slow disease progression. In general, for any potential therapy, the preservation of neurons and their function—known as neuroprotection—should be a priority. The effectiveness of current therapies, including deep brain stimulation in case of Parkinson’s disease (PD), is limited due to their lack of spatial precision.
The OdiN project aims to develop a flexible, implantable device that enables both neurostimulation and monitoring of neuronal activity. It leverages organic electronics technology, combining near-infrared (NIR) OLEDs to induce photobiomodulation (PBM) for neuroprotection and an OLED–organic photodiode system for detecting neuronal activity. This bidirectional device will be miniaturised to a few hundred micrometres and tested in vitro in a neuronal model of PD, where it will study the effects of PBM on neuroprotection. The device will also be implanted in a PD mouse model to assess its benefits for preventing neurodegeneration in vivo. A technical extension will explore scaling to multi-site stimulation arrays to achieve spatially controlled PBM.
The OdiN project is positioned in the emerging fields of NIR OLED development and PBM, introducing a unique and unprecedented method for precisely targeting neurons without the need for genetic modification. This innovation not only simplifies experimental protocols in animal models but also opens the door to clinical applications that are far more accessible and ethically less problematic than current optogenetic techniques. It holds tremendous promise for advancing the understanding and ultimately the treatment of NDs, offering a tuneable, scalable and minimally invasive implant technology that could revolutionise therapeutic strategies in neuroscience.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
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.1.1 - 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 - HORIZON ERC 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-2025-STG
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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.
50931 Koln
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.