Objective Autism and associated neurodevelopmental disorders are chronic conditions that afflict 1 in 68 children and produce great costs to society. Lack of realistic models has hindered progression in our understanding of these disorders since core pathogenic defects may only arise in the context of complex human neuronal structures. Two recent breakthroughs have now enabled the development of improved models: the identification of stem cells in adult tissue; and the development of human organoids in vitro that allow the study of complex human neuronal networks. The ProTeAN projects aims to combine Neurobiological and Biotechnology research (key field in Horizon 2020), to: i) establish a dental stem cell biobank from autism patients and controls; ii) develop dental cell-derived brain organoids to explore neurobiological properties; iii) perform single-cell sequencing during the organoid generation process; iv) create proof-of-concept applications of brain organoids as a biomedical platform to test drugs. When developed, this platform will dampen the need for animal studies, reduce and contain the costs associated with drug developments and provide personalized medical testing devices with a minimally invasive strategy. This project counts on the applicant’s expertise on stem cells, differentiation and bioinformatics, and on the expertise of supervisor João Peça and collaboration from Lino Ferreira (expert in bioengineering) and Guoping Feng (expert in autism research) to assure the success of all tasks. The applicant has established a career development plan and will partake in outreach activities to engage different target audiences in issues pertaining to this project. An EF-RI fellowship will facilitate the responsibility of spreading the researcher's knowledge to European partners, improve leadership and mature research goals while contributing to the evolution of science and improvement of society. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesneurobiologymedical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacydrug discoverymedical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologycells technologiesstem cells Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2017 - Individual Fellowships Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2017 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF-EF-RI - RI – Reintegration panel Coordinator CENTRO DE NEUROCIENCIAS E BIOLOGIACELULAR ASSOCIACAO Net EU contribution € 148 635,60 Address UNIVERSIDADE DE COIMBRA LARGO MARQUES DE POMBAL 3004 517 Coimbra Portugal See on map Region Continente Centro (PT) Região de Coimbra 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 Total cost € 148 635,60