Description du projet
Développement d’un nouveau modèle d’organe sur puce pour le système nerveux
Des modèles in vitro innovants, appelés organes sur puce, reproduisent la structure et la fonction des organes humains et sont importants pour la recherche scientifique fondamentale et le développement préclinique de nouvelles thérapeutiques. La connectivité cellulaire et la diaphonie entre les différents composants des systèmes d’organes sont essentielles pour la compréhension de conditions complexes telles que les maladies neurodégénératives. Le projet CONNECT, financé par l’UE, développe les futurs modèles in vitro du système nerveux. Le projet est le fruit d’un effort interdisciplinaire impliquant la nanofabrication, la microfluidique, la technologie des cellules souches, l’ingénierie tissulaire et l’imagerie avancée. À titre de preuve de principe, CONNECT entend démontrer l’efficacité de ce modèle de système dans le traitement de la maladie de Parkinson, ouvrant ainsi la voie au développement de nouvelles stratégies thérapeutiques.
Objectif
Novel micro-engineered in vitro models have been developed to mimic key functions of human organs. These so-called organ-on-chips (OoC) recapitulate the structure and function of human organs, and are particularly important for scientific research that is underlying our knowledge base of diseases and for the pre-clinical development of novel therapeutics. However, the application of these models has its limitations as they do not mimic the complexity and functioning of complete organ systems. Connectivity between cells and the linkage between different components of organ systems is essential in studying complex conditions such as neurodegenerative diseases. These diseases form a major challenge for the scientific community and are associated with a heavy burden on society and the global healthcare systems. To effectively grasp the complexity of neurodegenerative disorders, the CONNECT consortium develops the next level in vitro model systems for the nervous system and puts it firmly on the map. The project acts at the convergence of a multitude of disciplines including nanofabrication, microfluidics, stem cell technology, tissue engineering and advanced imaging. The successful completion of this high risk-high gain project will enable for the first time to study a complete organ system and deliver a viable paradigm for future technology to study connectivity in the nervous system. The proposed work in this project offers a unique opportunity to culture individual nervous system components and connect them in a single “smart” microfluidic chip (CONNECT platform), forming an elementary three compartment model from the central nervous system (CNS) to the peripheral nervous system (PNS). As Proof-of-Principle, CONNECT will demonstrate the feasibility of this system model in Parkinson’s Disease. This provides CONNECT with novel insights, thereby paving the way for future development of therapeutic strategies.
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RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinateur
5612 AE Eindhoven
Pays-Bas