Project description
3D printed organ scaffolds to assist drug screening
Three-dimensional organ models are the future of drug discovery. However, mimicking organ physiology and architecture and recapitulating the mechanical properties of each organ pose significant challenges. The EU-funded GUT3D-PLATE project has developed 3D cell culture scaffolds that accurately mimic the morphology and physiology of the human intestine. Scientists are in the process of optimising a 3D low-cost printing device capable of fabricating these 3D cell culture inserts, which don't require specialised equipment but can be readily used in conventional cell culture. The 3D cell scaffolds will support the growth of intestinal cells and provide a platform for drug screening and disease modelling.
Objective
3D cell culture models are considered the next-generation in vitro models. Several efforts are being devoted to better mimic human physiology and predict drug efficacy. In case of the intestinal tissue models, the 3D architecture of the intestinal tissue and the soft mechanical properties have been identified as key factors to obtain models with improved predictive capacities. However, there is a lack of low-cost and ease-to-use intestinal tissue models that encompass both elements. In the COMIET ERC project, we developed 3D cell culture scaffolds that accurately mimic the villus and crypt morphologies of the human intestine using soft materials. We used an innovative light-based approach to fabricate hydrogel scaffolds with the proper dimensions and mechanical properties of the tissue, in a reproducible manner. This ERC PoC GUT3D-PLATE will develop further the technology and customize a 3D low cost printing device to be able to fabricate ready-to-commercialize 3D cell culture substrates mimicking the intestinal physiology. These substrates will be provided as ready-to-use cell culture inserts, compatible with conventional assays and without the need of specialized equipment. The scaffolds support the growth of conventional intestinal cell lines and primary-derived cells and can be used as platforms for drug screening, disease modeling and microbiome interactions.
GUT3D-PLATE will also explore the commercial feasibility of the product by protecting the IPR, analyzing the market, and designing a business plan that provides the roadmap to attract investors. The intestinal 3D culture models will be attractive not only to the biomedical research community, but also to the pharma industry and CROs as they are increasingly investing in tools that better predict drug treatment efficacy and toxicity at early stages of the drug development process. This will reduce significantly the need for animal models and the overall cost, generating a major societal benefit.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy drug discovery
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
ERC-POC - Proof of Concept Grant
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2019-PoC
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
08028 Barcelona
Spain
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.