Project description
Reconstructing Graeco-Roman antimicrobial pharmaceutics
The field of Graeco-Roman pharmacology remains an area of medical history where more research is needed, particularly regarding ancient drug formulas. This lack of research limits the full understanding of how medicinal substances were discovered and applied. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the GALENA project examines the contribution of Galen of Pergamon (129-216 AD) in the field of medicine, focusing on antimicrobial therapies for eye and mouth infections, and combining philology, digital humanities, experimental archaeology, analytical chemistry and microbiological tests. The project aims to reproduce several drug formulas in the lab in order to determine their components and antimicrobial properties.
Objective
Graeco-Roman pharmaceutics remains a largely uncharted field in the history of medicine, particularly from a scientific perspective. The technical aspects of multi-ingredient formulations—how and why substances were selected, processed, and combined—are often overlooked. While modern scientists increasingly recognize the potential efficacy of ancient remedies, they rarely engage with the historical and theoretical dimensions of ancient pharmacology, and they lack access to the classical sources.
The GALENA project (Galen's Antimicrobial Laboratory: Exploring Natural Antiquities) addresses this gap by investigating pharmaceutical theory and practice in Galen of Pergamon (129–216 AD), the most influential physician of the Graeco-Roman world, who preserved extensive collections of recipes for remedies he considered most effective. Focusing on formulations for infection-related conditions affecting the eyes and oral cavity, the project combines philological analysis, digital humanities, experimental archaeology, analytical chemistry, and microbiological assays to reconstruct both the intellectual framework and the material outcomes of ancient drug-making.
The study will (1) situate Galen’s treatments within his pathology of infection-related diseases; (2) identify recurring patterns in ingredient selection, processing, and combination; and (3) replicate formulations in the laboratory to analyse their chemical composition and assess potential antimicrobial effects.
By integrating humanities and laboratory sciences, GALENA will pioneer a genuinely interdisciplinary methodology. The project will enrich the history of medicine, advance our understanding of Graeco-Roman pharmacology, and foster collaboration across disciplines. It will also contribute to the fellow’s career development through a tailored training programme and may provide scientific leads in the search for novel approaches to combat antimicrobial resistance.
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.
- humanities history and archaeology history ancient history
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pathology
You need to log in or register to use this function
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.
-
HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
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-2025-PF
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
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.
40126 Bologna
Italy
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.