Research models in infection, cancer and regeneration: replacement and translation

Project Information

REMODEL

Grant agreement ID: 857491

DOI

10.3030/857491

Project closed

EC signature date 9 July 2019

Start date 1 November 2019

End date 30 April 2023

Funded under

• Twinning of research institutions

Total cost

€ 799 647,50

EU contribution

€ 799 647,50

Coordinated by

INSTITUTO DE BIOLOGIA MOLECULAR E CELULAR-IBMC
Portugal

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - REMODEL (Research models in infection, cancer and regeneration: replacement and translation)

Reporting period: 2021-02-01 to 2023-04-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

REMODEL is a collaboration project aiming to increase capacity to work with advanced 3D model systems in biomedical research. REMODEL combines the existing local expertise in bioengineering, cancer and infectious diseases at the host institution IBMC-i3S with partners at the frontline in developing organoid systems, manipulating them to fit specific purposes and validating their use as models, in order to build capacity to work with innovative model systems that can replace animal experiments and increase translational relevance. In doing so, REMODEL addresses a key issue in today’s biomedical research: how non-animal model systems can be developed to meet the needs for translationally relevant research in the era of precision and personalized medicine, whilst at the same time accounting for societal pressure to replace animal experiments. REMODEL will capacitate the coordinating institution, IBMC-i3S, through the establishment of organoid advanced in vitro models and their customization for the main areas of research (infection, cancer and tissue regeneration). By the end of the project, we were able to:

1 - Develop scientific and technical capacity in the coordinating institution to use organoids and advanced in vitro model systems for studying cancer, infection and tissue regeneration
2 - To equip ESRs with the scientific skills to use organoids and advanced in vitro model systems to address research questions in doctoral and postdoctoral research projects
3 - To train and mentor ESRs in international interdisciplinary research environments and equip them with transferable skills for careers in different sectors
4 - To develop a training program in innovative biomedical model research to be implemented in the coordinating and the partner institutions, namely an Advanced Course on Organoids Models that is now held annually at i3S, Porto, Portugal.
5 - To set up the first Portuguese 3Rs knowledge centre. The 3Rs Knowledge Center (3RKC) is the central hub for 3Rs at i3S, aiming to promote the implementation of the 3Rs through sharing knowledge and resources.

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

This report covers the last 21 month of the REMODEL project, January 2021 to April 2023.

The development of training activities, a significant part of the project, took place in three different formats: science focused workshops/courses, transversal skills workshops/courses and short term scientific training periods.

Science workshops were organized on the following topics: organoids and advanced-in vitro models for biomedical research, organoids for infection research, organoids in cancer research and organoids in bioengineering research. In addition, a Summer School was organized. On basis of the experience gained from these workshops, the course “Organoids and Advanced 3D in Vitro Models for Research in Health and Disease” was established at the coordinating institution where it is now part of the regular advanced training offer. An e-learning portfolio was developed specifically to support the practical classes. This e-learning allowed the students to see the entire experimental procedures on video before performing them themselves.

Transversal skills workshops were organized on the following topics: Research project management, Good practices in in vitro Research, I have a PhD, what’s next?, Open Science, Ethics, science and society, IP management, Diversity.

The short term scientific periods were tailored to the needs of each participating young researcher and consisted in periods of 1-8 weeks in one of the laboratories of the participating institutions.

Individualized training for host institution researchers is integrated with the implementation of new research models at IBMC-i3S. The workshops already had the intended effect of showcasing the REMODEL project within the host institution, giving rise to collaborations with research groups within the i3S in which PhD students receive training and support in setting up organoids for their respective PhD projects. Four organoids models were established: lung, intestinal, gastric and colon. Standard operating procedures for gastro-intestinal and lung organoids have been established.

The first Portuguese 3Rs centre was launched at the end of the project. As the first Portuguese Center dedicated to the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement of animal experimentation) this is an important milestone not only formally for the REMODEL project (M8) but also by placing Portugal firmly on the map of European 3R initiatives.

With focus on Early Stage Researchers, students were co-supervised by REMODEL team members, transferrable training courses have been organized and scheduled and a mentoring strategy has been established. We were able to train 8 ERS and PhD students in these advanced models.

Project outreach took place through the project website and Twitter account, as well as through media releases. The project was featured in major Portuguese media at two different events.

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)

REMODEL has contribute to raising the research profile of the institution and scientific skills of its staff developed through training schools and short-term scientific training periods as well as transferable skills training and mentoring of Early Stage researchers, but also through staff participation in international conferences presenting work within the REMODEL themes / framework. Organoids as experimental models are at the frontline of methodological development in biomedicine, and we were able to demonstrate competence in working with such models. We successfully placed IBMC-i3S in the spotlight in an international research context, and make the institution an attractive partner for future collaborations beyond the REMODEL network.

IBMC-i3S is already a national leader in the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) of animal experimentation, and REMODEL represented a crucial step towards establishing the first Portuguese 3R centre at i3S. On the European level, REMODEL represented an important initiative to bring together key partners in the development of innovative models to overcome the present fragmentation of European organoid research and move towards applications in animal replacement.

Organoids under development at IBMC