Connecting neural networks: Nervous-system-on-Chip Technology

Project Information

CONNECT

Grant agreement ID: 824070

DOI

10.3030/824070

Project closed

EC signature date 23 October 2018

Start date 1 January 2019

End date 30 June 2024

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Future and Emerging Technologies (FET)

Total cost

€ 6 807 867,50

EU contribution

€ 6 807 867,50

Coordinated by

TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITEIT EINDHOVEN
Netherlands

Periodic Reporting for period 4 - CONNECT (Connecting neural networks: Nervous-system-on-Chip Technology)

Reporting period: 2023-01-01 to 2024-06-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Many neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) such as Parkinson's are still not curable. Medicines do not work as expected, the care of patients is complex, the affected and their relatives often suffer for many years. To better understand how NDD evolves and works, the University of Luxembourg, University of Sheffield, KU Leuven, Erasmus MC, Aalto University, FFUND and Eindhoven University of Technology have joined forces in an interdisciplinary science project (CONNECT).

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Together, we want to model the functioning of our nervous systems in a chip-based in vitro model. The goal is to develop and test an artificial platform to support or discard researchers' hypotheses for disease causing molecules enter the brain by being backwards transported via the peripheral and enteric nervous system. These theses assume that diseases such as Parkinson's are triggered by defective protein compounds in the gut.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The procedure using patient stem cells with our approach can help to improve predictions about the onset of NDD and thus develop effective drugs. The procedure is a way to reduce the development costs and time required to introduce new drugs. The current preclinical models are of limited use, and the transmission of results from animal experiments to the human system often fail. The novel CONNECT model of a human nervous system on a chip is the first step on a long road to finding more effective personalized treatment concepts for people with Parkinson's or any other NDD.

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