Objective
Brain exposure to micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) has become a great concern: MNPs have been found in the human brain, with an exponential increase of their median concentration in the last eight years and higher values found in diseased brains. MNPs accumulation impairs brain functionality, affecting the permeability of the blood-brain barrier, which protects our functional brain tissue, namely the brain parenchyma, from harmful molecules penetration. The biochemical mechanisms involved are still unknown: there is an urgent need to reveal the key MNPs drivers affecting MNPs-brain interaction, to reduce MPNs accumulation and brain damage incidence. My project poses the hypothesis that MNPs accumulation is due to specific MNPs chemical and geometrical features which impair the glymphatic system, an anatomical structure that generates a fluid flux to wash away undesired molecules from the brain parenchyma. Current in vivo and in vitro models are inadequate to address my hypothesis: in my vision, a model representing the glymphatic system mass transport and its cross-talk with the blood-brain barrier and the brain parenchyma is mandatory to fill this gap. To validate my hypothesis, I will develop a revolutionary microphysiological system, to represent the brain vascular and glymphatic system circulation biomechanics at the microscale. My platform will allow delivering a diagram indicating the “green zone” where the combinations of selected MNPs features cause the lowest glymphatic system impairment and impact on the blood-brain barrier permeability and brain parenchyma functionality. My project is ground-breaking in its innovative bioengineering-based approach, addressing MNPs accumulation by using a microfabricated model of brain vascularisation. It will open a new perspective to address MNPs impact on brain with a huge impact on bioengineering, microphysiological systems, microfabrication, polymer science, boosting also our knowledge on brain diseases in neuroscience.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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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.1.1 - 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-ADG
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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.
20133 Milano
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.