Project description
Novel microbead therapy for gut disorders
The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in maintaining intestinal health, regulating immunity and supporting overall well-being. Microbiota disruptions alongside increased intestinal permeability and inflammation contribute to functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs). With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the SMartGut project aims to develop a novel treatment that targets the root of FGID rather than just managing the symptoms. Researchers will develop probiotics encapsulated in innovative microbeads that consist of a biopolymer-based core and bioactive coating. These microbeads can deliver antioxidants and gut-targeting peptides to reduce inflammation and strengthen barrier function. The project team will employ simulated digestion models to evaluate the properties of the microbeads and their therapeutic potential, paving the way for a transformative FGID treatment.
Objective
Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are a group of debilitating conditions affecting up to 40% of the global population, significantly impairing quality of life and driving up healthcare costs. Current treatments focus on managing symptoms rather than addressing the root causes of FGIDs, such as inflammation, increased intestinal permeability, and gut microbiome disruptions.
The SMartGut project aims to develop innovative therapeutic microbeads that encapsulate probiotics within a photo-crosslinkable biopolymer-based core. To enhance functionality, SMartGut will employ the Layer-by-Layer assembly technique to create a nanoscale protective and bioactive coating on the therapeutic microbeads surface. This coating can incorporate antioxidants to reduce inflammation and improve probiotic adhesion in the gut, and targeted peptides to strengthen gut barrier function.
The therapeutic microbeads will be evaluated for their structural, morphological, and physico-chemical properties, followed by assessing the release kinetics of the bioactive components of the therapeutic microbeads and the survival of the encapsulated probiotic strains in the intestine using a simulated gastrointestinal digestion test designed for both healthy adults and the elderly. This test will ensure the effectiveness of the therapeutic microbeads in reducing gut inflammation, restoring the microbiome, and reinforcing intestinal epithelial junctions to address FGIDs. Then, the therapeutic microbeads will be incorporated into food models to evaluate their stability and impact on food characteristics while preserving their bioactivity features after food storage.
SMartGut has the potential to revolutionize FGID treatment by delivering a multifunctional therapeutic system that targets the core factors of these disorders. SMartGut promises significant scientific, societal, and economic impact by introducing a novel approach to FGID management and advancing the development of functional foods.
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.
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules
- engineering and technology materials engineering coating and films
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
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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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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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) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01
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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.
46022 Valencia
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.