EpiBarrier project is organised into six Work Packages (WPs): WP1,2,3 are the research WP, WP4 refers to Management, WP5 to Communication, Dissemination and Exploitation (WP5) and WP6 to Training/Transfer of Knowledge (WP6).
Through research WPs 1,2,3 the Fellow has determined how P2X7 impacts on BBB integrity during seizures and which genes are regulated by the P2X7 receptor. During the project, the Fellow was training in several state-of-the-art techniques, including modelling an experimental mice model of epilepsy (Traumatic Brain Injury by Controlled Cortical Impact; 1-month secondment in Germany), microarray assays, brain microvessels isolation and differentiation of human-induced pluripotent stem cells.
In WP5, the Fellow communicated project outcomes via posters and oral presentations at 9 National and International conferences. She also took part in 3 public outreach activities to popularize the EpiBarrier project and communicate findings to the general public. The Fellow also participated as a charity volunteer to gain support for epilepsy patients and families in Ireland. In WP6, for researcher Training/Transfer of Knowledge, the Fellow has acquired transferable skills attending at 7 intensive training workshops and multi-day conferences. She conducted 3 workshops with hand-on experience for researchers and provided supervision and mentoring for early career researchers and undergraduate students. The impact of this MSCA-IF is further highlighted through publishing two Open Access peer-reviewed articles in high impact journals, two articles under review, one article submitted, and one article under preparation. The results obtained during this MSCA will enhance several publications in the coming years, in addition to the ones produced and published during the fellowship itself and from new collaborations with different institutions.
