Objective "The demand for human platelets (plts) for medical research and clinical applications is massive. The primary goal of SilkFUSION is to engineer groundbreaking 3D nanotechnologies for large-scale production of blood plts for human transfusion from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). Our hypothesis is that plt production ex-vivo can be optimized by providing megakaryocytes (Mks) with the correct physical and biochemical environment.To prove this, we will develop a unique technological platform by engineering non-thrombogenic silk-fibroin biomaterial with proteins, that were proven to promote a 55-fold gain in plt production, to create a three-dimensional ex-vivo bone marrow model that will enhance plt release from Mks derived from hPSCs. Our platform will include (i) novel applications to study pathogenetic mechanisms in patients with inherited platelet production disorders using genetically modified hPSCs; (ii) screening technology for predicting therapeutic efficacy of drugs for thrombocytopenic patients. The development of this technology will exploit an extremely innovative approach using silk-fibroin as a bio-ink for 3D printing a ""live chip"" containing viable Mks for reproducible drug testing. Our long-term vision is to foster the production of plts in-vitro for clinical transfusions in humans at a scale and cost that will address current supply challenges regarding (i) immunologically matched products to alloimmunised patients; (ii) “supercharged” platelets with recombinant FVIIa generating plts specifically suited for patients with acute haemorrhage resulting from trauma, surgery and wounded in conflict zones. The successful development and distribution of the SilkFUSION platforms will also offer researchers and clinicians specialized precision instruments and bio-ink kits for determining the safety and efficacy of drugs, reducing costs of ineffective therapies while promoting affordable functional strategies for the development of novel molecules." Keywords Bone marrow platelet transfusion platelet ex vivo generation megakaryocytes silk biomaterial bioreactor drug testing 3D printing Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.2. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Future and Emerging Technologies (FET) Main Programme H2020-EU.1.2.1. - FET Open Topic(s) FETOPEN-01-2016-2017 - FET-Open research and innovation actions Call for proposal H2020-FETOPEN-2016-2017 See other projects for this call Sub call H2020-FETOPEN-1-2016-2017 Funding Scheme RIA - Coordinator UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI PAVIA Net EU contribution € 738 327,49 Address Strada nuova 65 27100 Pavia Italy See on map Region Nord-Ovest Lombardia Pavia Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,01 Participants (5) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all THE CHANCELLOR MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE United Kingdom Net EU contribution € 688 327,50 Address Trinity lane the old schools CB2 1TN Cambridge See on map Region East of England East Anglia Cambridgeshire CC Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00 INSTITUT GUSTAVE ROUSSY France Net EU contribution € 688 327,50 Address Rue camille desmoulins 39 94805 Villejuif See on map Region Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Val-de-Marne Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00 INTEGRATED SYSTEMS ENGINEERING SRL Italy Net EU contribution € 319 580,63 Address Via volturno cedri 80 20816 Brugherio See on map SME The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed. Yes Region Nord-Ovest Lombardia Monza e della Brianza Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00 BICO GROUP AB Sweden Net EU contribution € 344 163,75 Address Arvid wallgrens backe 20 413 46 Goteborg See on map SME The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed. Yes Region Södra Sverige Västsverige Västra Götalands län Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00 KNOWLEDGE INNOVATION MARKET S.L. Spain Net EU contribution € 219 773,13 Address Calle venezuela 103 planta 1 puerta 08019 Barcelona See on map Region Este Cataluña Barcelona Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00