Periodic Reporting for period 2 - DRYNET (Setting an interdisciplinary/sectorial/international research network to explore dry storage as an alternative strategy for cells/germplasm biobanking )
Período documentado: 2019-03-01 hasta 2022-08-31
The problem being addressed
The current trend is to convert all relevant human activities (industry, economy, transport, farming) into eco-friendly/sustainable processes. Bio-banks (cells, tissues) are normally kept frozen in liquid nitrogen (LN). Though effective, LN storage is expensive, and its production has a heavy carbon footprint. The objective of Drynet is to explore the possibility to change the current bio-banking paradigm into a low cost, and zero environmental impact process.
Importance for the society
Social benefits will be directly conveyed by Drynet through low-cost bio-banking services. The benefits for this endeavour span for all activities were biobanking is required; biomedicine, human infertility treatment and biobanking for biodiversity preservation. Lastly, low cost biobanking would be of societal benefit from the climate-change mitigation action resulting from CO2 reduction.
The general objective of Drynet is to verify the feasibility of dry storage for cells and gametes, through three main Objectives (all accomplished):
I. To establish an international/multidisciplinary research team to explore reversible drying in cells/gametes
II. To gather preliminary data set on the induction of reversible drying of mammalian cells
III. To prepare a new class of ER and ESR with unique expertise in alternative biobanking
Objective I. To establish a new international/multidisciplinary team to explore reversible drying induction in cells/germplasm. Drynet has brought together an intercontinental Team of Scientists with complementary expertise. At the end on the project, we can state that the aim was fulfilled. A total of 54 senior and young scientists have participated to Drynet, advancing the knowledge of the specific field of dehydration, thanks to 140 secondments.
Objective II. To gather preliminary data sets on the induction of reversible drying of mammalian cells. New models for controlled de-hydration of cells, new genes and related gene products for reversible drying have been discovered on our model (midge and tardigrades). The scientific activities focused on sperm cells, as germ plasm, and on fibroblast as somatic cells, and the output in terms of scientific progress are beyond the expectations.
Objective III. To prepare a new class of ER and ESR with unique expertise in alternative biobanking methods. The project has allowed the interaction between experts on: molecular biophysics, chemical engineering, cell, insect, and molecular biology, embryology, andrology, cryobiology, engineering and biobanking. Moreover, the interaction between academy and SMEs has been an added value for the ESR seconded. At the end of the project, we can reasonably state that a multidisciplinary research team, made mostly of ESR, has been generated.
Conclusion of the action
It can be stated that Drynet has converted the few data on reversible drying available in a concerted action, advancing beyond the state of the art available at the time of the proposal drafting. The project has represented a formidable opportunity for the ESR that have benefited from the knowledge sharing through the action, enforcing their scientific and miscellanea skills. Finally, the cross contamination between the participating institutions with radically different competences resulted in a cross fertilization, with positive outcomes on their profile.
The current trend is to convert all relevant human activities (industry, economy, transport, farming) into eco-friendly/sustainable processes. Bio-banks (cells, tissues) are normally kept frozen in liquid nitrogen (LN). Though effective, LN storage is expensive, and its production has a heavy carbon footprint. The objective of Drynet is to explore the possibility to change the current bio-banking paradigm into a low cost, and zero environmental impact process.
Importance for the society
Social benefits will be directly conveyed by Drynet through low-cost bio-banking services. The benefits for this endeavour span for all activities were biobanking is required; biomedicine, human infertility treatment and biobanking for biodiversity preservation. Lastly, low cost biobanking would be of societal benefit from the climate-change mitigation action resulting from CO2 reduction.
The general objective of Drynet is to verify the feasibility of dry storage for cells and gametes, through three main Objectives (all accomplished):
I. To establish an international/multidisciplinary research team to explore reversible drying in cells/gametes
II. To gather preliminary data set on the induction of reversible drying of mammalian cells
III. To prepare a new class of ER and ESR with unique expertise in alternative biobanking
Objective I. To establish a new international/multidisciplinary team to explore reversible drying induction in cells/germplasm. Drynet has brought together an intercontinental Team of Scientists with complementary expertise. At the end on the project, we can state that the aim was fulfilled. A total of 54 senior and young scientists have participated to Drynet, advancing the knowledge of the specific field of dehydration, thanks to 140 secondments.
Objective II. To gather preliminary data sets on the induction of reversible drying of mammalian cells. New models for controlled de-hydration of cells, new genes and related gene products for reversible drying have been discovered on our model (midge and tardigrades). The scientific activities focused on sperm cells, as germ plasm, and on fibroblast as somatic cells, and the output in terms of scientific progress are beyond the expectations.
Objective III. To prepare a new class of ER and ESR with unique expertise in alternative biobanking methods. The project has allowed the interaction between experts on: molecular biophysics, chemical engineering, cell, insect, and molecular biology, embryology, andrology, cryobiology, engineering and biobanking. Moreover, the interaction between academy and SMEs has been an added value for the ESR seconded. At the end of the project, we can reasonably state that a multidisciplinary research team, made mostly of ESR, has been generated.
Conclusion of the action
It can be stated that Drynet has converted the few data on reversible drying available in a concerted action, advancing beyond the state of the art available at the time of the proposal drafting. The project has represented a formidable opportunity for the ESR that have benefited from the knowledge sharing through the action, enforcing their scientific and miscellanea skills. Finally, the cross contamination between the participating institutions with radically different competences resulted in a cross fertilization, with positive outcomes on their profile.
Work performed and main result achieved
The output of the project has been achieved thanks to the cooperation of leading scientists having complementarity experiences. Briefly, the mathematical model of water removal from cells/germplasm was implemented. A significant progress has been achieved in the understanding of the natural factors protecting midge (the model organism used) using the most advanced genomic tools to identify and characterize candidate genes coding for physiological “xeroprotectants” (protect from desiccation). It has been confirmed that LEA proteins protect cells from water stress. In addition to LEA proteins, our consortium has also synthetized of a permeable version of trehalose, trehalose exa-acetate. Drying of spermatozoa has been accomplished in ovine, donkey, pig, cat, with many variants explored to preserve of nuclear viability after re-hydration. Thus, the progress gained through Drynet has been significative.
Overview of the results, and their exploitation and dissemination
The project met a high proportion of its aims. The R&I outputs were of relevance, for the significant advancement they brought to the topics of reversible drying/anhydrobiosis, as witnessed by the dissemination toward the scientific community of over 26 papers published. In addition, the participating PIs have been invited in authoritative international settings as speakers, giving visibility to the support provided by Horizon 2020. As for outreach activities, interviews to prestigious newspapers/magazines have been also released throughout the project at all levels. The data gained in the project has been exploited to support proposals sent to research funding agencies (EU, national). Reversible drying is a natural phenomenon
that is starting to be well spread outside the scientific community; as such, the outreach activities organized by the participating institutions have met the interest of primary/secondary students, undergraduate, and the general public as well.
The output of the project has been achieved thanks to the cooperation of leading scientists having complementarity experiences. Briefly, the mathematical model of water removal from cells/germplasm was implemented. A significant progress has been achieved in the understanding of the natural factors protecting midge (the model organism used) using the most advanced genomic tools to identify and characterize candidate genes coding for physiological “xeroprotectants” (protect from desiccation). It has been confirmed that LEA proteins protect cells from water stress. In addition to LEA proteins, our consortium has also synthetized of a permeable version of trehalose, trehalose exa-acetate. Drying of spermatozoa has been accomplished in ovine, donkey, pig, cat, with many variants explored to preserve of nuclear viability after re-hydration. Thus, the progress gained through Drynet has been significative.
Overview of the results, and their exploitation and dissemination
The project met a high proportion of its aims. The R&I outputs were of relevance, for the significant advancement they brought to the topics of reversible drying/anhydrobiosis, as witnessed by the dissemination toward the scientific community of over 26 papers published. In addition, the participating PIs have been invited in authoritative international settings as speakers, giving visibility to the support provided by Horizon 2020. As for outreach activities, interviews to prestigious newspapers/magazines have been also released throughout the project at all levels. The data gained in the project has been exploited to support proposals sent to research funding agencies (EU, national). Reversible drying is a natural phenomenon
that is starting to be well spread outside the scientific community; as such, the outreach activities organized by the participating institutions have met the interest of primary/secondary students, undergraduate, and the general public as well.
Progress beyond the stat of the art
At the time of Drynet’s drafting, controlled lyophilization of cells and germ-plasm was a niche. Drynet has delivered original and first class scientific and technical progress that represents a significant leap beyond the current state of the art. Briefly, both theoretical and empirical work on the water removal/addiction after drying have been made. Novel xero-protectants were identified and characterized in model organism (midge and tardigrades), and a novel tardigrade species has been discovered. Of relevance, work with LEA carried on in the project has confirmed protection during water stress imposed to fibroblasts. Finally, work done on lyophilization of spermatozoa of four different species has advanced the state of art of dry storage in male gametes.
Socio economic impact and wider societal implications
The professional formations of ESRs, about 40, can be seen as a “small scale” socio- economic impact of the project. The employment of the ESR by academy/SME, with most of them still active in projects similar to Drynet, will amplify the impact of the project. To conclude, aware that a single RISE action cannot bring a technological revolution, we trust that the outcomes of Drynet represent a platform for the prosecution of the work aiming at development of alternative, low cost and environmental impact biobanking solutions. The societal implication of the project has been limited so far, but we trust that Drynet's research's output have indicated that the development of alternative, low cost and eco-friendly biobanks are a realistic target, worthy of further support. In case of success in this endeavour, the societal implication of easily affordable biobanks would be of immense societal benefit.
At the time of Drynet’s drafting, controlled lyophilization of cells and germ-plasm was a niche. Drynet has delivered original and first class scientific and technical progress that represents a significant leap beyond the current state of the art. Briefly, both theoretical and empirical work on the water removal/addiction after drying have been made. Novel xero-protectants were identified and characterized in model organism (midge and tardigrades), and a novel tardigrade species has been discovered. Of relevance, work with LEA carried on in the project has confirmed protection during water stress imposed to fibroblasts. Finally, work done on lyophilization of spermatozoa of four different species has advanced the state of art of dry storage in male gametes.
Socio economic impact and wider societal implications
The professional formations of ESRs, about 40, can be seen as a “small scale” socio- economic impact of the project. The employment of the ESR by academy/SME, with most of them still active in projects similar to Drynet, will amplify the impact of the project. To conclude, aware that a single RISE action cannot bring a technological revolution, we trust that the outcomes of Drynet represent a platform for the prosecution of the work aiming at development of alternative, low cost and environmental impact biobanking solutions. The societal implication of the project has been limited so far, but we trust that Drynet's research's output have indicated that the development of alternative, low cost and eco-friendly biobanks are a realistic target, worthy of further support. In case of success in this endeavour, the societal implication of easily affordable biobanks would be of immense societal benefit.