Project description
Decoding chronic plastic toxicity in human-relevant models
Plastic-associated toxicants such as nonylphenol (NP) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) pose long-term risks to endocrine and neurodevelopmental health. Their combined chronic effects remain poorly understood. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the Mechanism4EPT project is investigating these effects using advanced 3D organoid models derived from reproductive and hypothalamic tissues, which accurately replicate in vivo biology better than traditional cell cultures. The project will analyse dose- and time-dependent toxicogenomic responses, map epigenetic modifications, and identify disrupted neuroendocrine pathways, including potential heritable epigenetic markers of exposure. By integrating multi-omics approaches with AI-driven bioinformatics, it will generate a comprehensive mechanistic understanding of co-exposure toxicity. Ultimately, the project will support safer chemical design and improved public health protection.
Objective
The Mechanism4EPT project investigates the chronic endocrine and neurodevelopmental effects of co-exposure to plastic-associated toxicants Nonylphenol (NP) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), using advanced 3D organoid models derived from albino rat reproductive and hypothalamic tissues. These models better replicate in vivo tissue complexity compared to traditional 2D cultures, enabling realistic simulation of chronic co-exposure scenarios. The project aims to: (i) delineate dose- and time-dependent toxicogenomic responses, (ii) map epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation and histone changes, (iii) uncover disrupted neuroendocrine molecular pathways, and (iv) identify heritable epigenetic markers in progeny organoid cells that indicate cellular memory of toxicant exposure. Multi-omics approaches including RNA-seq, ATAC-seq, and bisulfite sequencing, integrated with AI-driven bioinformatics, will generate comprehensive mechanistic insights into combined NP and PFOS toxicity. This research directly supports the EU’s Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability by informing safer chemical regulation and enhancing alternatives to animal testing, in alignment with the EU Green Deal and Sustainable Development Goals on health and responsible production. The project incorporates an intersectoral secondment at Altomics Datamation Ltd., facilitating translational risk assessment and industrial AI applications. Outputs will include novel organoid models and predictive AI pipelines with strong potential for regulatory adoption. Ultimately, Mechanism4EPT seeks to advance understanding of chronic endocrine disruption by plastic contaminants, fostering improved public health protection and sustainable environmental stewardship.
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.
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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)
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
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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-2025-PF
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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.
BT7 1NN BELFAST
United Kingdom
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.