Project description
Mapping skin fibrosis in 3D
Skin fibrosis is the scarring of the skin by the formation of connective tissue. It is not only painful but also disfiguring, and currently no treatment for the condition exists. The ERC-funded FibroRevert project aims to find a solution. To that end, it will examine the environment around skin cells. It will do this through 3D bioprinting techniques and specially designed lab-made gels, which are used to recreate the complex structure of human skin in vitro. By building these three-dimensional models guided by patient samples, FibroRevert hopes to observe how cells behave within scarred tissue. This will help researchers uncover clues that could one day contribute to reversing skin fibrosis.
Objective
Skin fibrosis is a complex disorder characterized by the replacement of healthy tissue by pathological extracellular matrix (ECM). Despite its significant health burden, current treatments remain largely ineffective, leaving patients without efficient therapies. This gap is due to a limited understanding of how ECM cues and cells of the fibrotic niche co-evolve and interact over time to drive fibrosis. To address this, we will dissect how space- and time-dependent changes in ECM properties during fibrotic remodelling drive dysfunctional alterations in cell-matrix communication, thus promoting fibrosis progression. To tackle this, we propose a multidisciplinary approach merging patient samples, bioinspired hydrogels, human cells, 3D bioprinting, and high-content analysis of fibrosis at cellular, molecular and tissue levels. With this patient-centred approach, we will create a modular hydrogel library with tissue-specific and programmable properties to uncover the role of ECM cues in fibrosis. By harnessing these new insights, we will capitalize on bioprinting to create unique 3D models recreating the heterogeneity and cell dynamics in human skin fibrosis to unveil tractable targets for therapeutic purposes. Overall, this high-impact project addresses a major health challenge – identify drivers of fibrosis – leading to the development of innovative 3D models for discovering therapeutics that ultimately reverse fibrosis without disturbing tissue homeostasis.
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.
4200-135 PORTO
Portugal
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.