Objective HUMUNITY is a PhD school which shall train young scientists in novel approaches to the study of human mucosal immunity by the use of advanced engineered human cell culture models. The scientific goal is to develop integrated cell-biological models in which cultured human primary cells mimic the architecture and the interactions of the original tissue, by uniting powerful classical cell culture skills, innovative material science and advanced high-content detection systems. Specifically, students will study the innate inflammatory response to agents presented at mucosal surfaces of lung and gut, in both healthy and pathological conditions, by implementing novel in vitro systems that robustly reproduce the reactivity of human tissues in vivo. These models will also have multiple industrially-exploitable applications, from preclinical testing of candidate therapeutics in personalised medicine approaches to screening of drugs and biosafety assessment, thereby reducing significantly the need of animal experimentation.Four trainees will experience an intersectoral training programme encompassing a 18-month internship in a UK SME expert in isolation and culture of human primary cells (AvantiCell Science), and 18 months in academic institutions (the Italian research organisation CNR, with secondments to the Universities of Pisa and Salzburg). Trainees enrolled in the PhD programme in Clinical Physiopathology and Pharmacology at the University of Pisa will engage in training-by-research, and will participate in a series of scientific and technical training courses provided by each institution, in addition to joint scientific meetings and transferable skills courses organised by the associated management partner ALTA. Eventually, fellows will gain experience in technology transfer when moving their prototypical systems to commercially exploitable assest relevant to different industry sectors, from pharmaceuticals through food and healthcare to environmental safety. Fields of science medical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacypharmaceutical drugsmedical and health scienceshealth sciencespersonalized medicine Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) FP7-PEOPLE-2012-ITN - Marie-Curie Action: "Initial Training Networks" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-2012-ITN See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-ITN - Networks for Initial Training (ITN) Coordinator CONSIGLIO NAZIONALE DELLE RICERCHE Address Piazzale aldo moro 7 00185 Roma Italy See on map Region Centro (IT) Lazio Roma Activity type Research Organisations Administrative Contact Diana Boraschi (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window EU contribution No data Participants (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all AvantiCell Science Ltd United Kingdom EU contribution € 531 393,28 Address Gibbsyard building KA6 5HW Ayr See on map Region Scotland Southern Scotland South Ayrshire Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Administrative Contact Joanna Oliver (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Other funding No data
