Project description DEENESFRITPL How dietary phenolics delay neurodegenerative diseases It is believed that a diet rich in phenolics delays neurodegenerative diseases in the ageing population. However, the mechanistic actions of phenolics in brain health remain under examination. The EU-funded LIMBo project aims to analyse the ability of dietary phenolics to prevent and delay neuroinflammation, a central process in neurodegenerative diseases. The project will focus on metabolites derived from dietary phenolics by investigating their effects in both the established and unknown pathways of microglia cells. LIMBo will deliver essential knowledge that improves understanding of the diversity of phenolic metabolites, their specific impact on neuroinflammation and the potential use as pro-drugs. Moreover, it will produce valuable scientific insights for future implementation of healthy brain diets. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective Currently a big concern of our aging society is to efficiently delay the onset of neurodegenerative diseases which are progressively rising in incidence. The paradigm that a diet rich in the phenolics, prevalent e.g. in fruits, is beneficial to brain health has reached the public. However their mechanistic actions in brain functions remain to be seen, particularly since the nature of those acting in the brain remains overlooked. I wish to address this gap by identifying candidate compounds that can support development of effective strategies to delay neurodegeneration.Specifically, I will be analysing the potential of dietary phenolics in both prevention and treatment (i.e delay) of neuroinflammation – key process shared in neurodegenerative diseases. To break down the current indeterminate status of “cause vs effect”, my vision is to focus my research on metabolites derived from dietary phenolics that reach the brain. I will be investigating their effects in both established and unknown response pathways of microglia cells - the innate immune cells of the central nervous system, either alone or when communicating with other brain cells. Ultimately, to attain an integrated view of their effects I will establish nutrition trials in mice. LIMBo considers both pro- and anti- inflammatory processes to preliminary validate the action of any promising metabolite in prevention and/or therapeutics.LIMBo provides valuable scientific insights for future implementation of healthy brain diets. My group is in a unique position to address LIMBo objectives due to multidisciplinary expertise in organic synthesis, metabolomics and molecular and cellular biology, together with our previous data on novel neuroactive metabolites. LIMBo also creates far-reaching opportunities by generating knowledge that impacts our fundamental understanding on the diversity of phenolic metabolites and their specific influences in neuroinflammation and potential use as prodrugs. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesneurobiologyagricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculturehorticulturefruit growingmedical and health sciencesbasic medicineimmunologymedical and health scienceshealth sciencesnutrition Keywords Dietary phenolics phenolics metabolism brain neuroinflammation Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme Topic(s) ERC-2018-STG - ERC Starting Grant Call for proposal ERC-2018-STG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-STG - Starting Grant Coordinator UNIVERSIDADE NOVA DE LISBOA Net EU contribution € 1 199 697,00 Address Campus de campolide 1099 085 Lisboa Portugal See on map Region Continente Área Metropolitana de Lisboa Área Metropolitana de Lisboa Activity type 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 Beneficiaries (2) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all UNIVERSIDADE NOVA DE LISBOA Portugal Net EU contribution € 1 199 697,00 Address Campus de campolide 1099 085 Lisboa See on map Region Continente Área Metropolitana de Lisboa Área Metropolitana de Lisboa Activity type 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 INSTITUTO DE BIOLOGIA EXPERIMENTAL E TECNOLOGICA Portugal Net EU contribution € 296 325,00 Address Avenida da republica quinta do marques 2781-901 Oeiras 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 Continente Área Metropolitana de Lisboa Área Metropolitana de Lisboa 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
