Training4CRM
Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood.
Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.
Marie Curie
Training4CRM addresses gaps in Cell-based Regenerative Medicine (CRM) for treatment of neurodegenerative disorders (e.g. Parkinson’s (PD), Huntington’s (HD) and Epilepsy (EPI)), which occur as a result of progressive loss of structure, function and/or death of neurons in the brain. These disorders have a high prevalence and are associated with short- and long-term impairments and disabilities with high emotional, financial and social burden to the patients, their families and friends.
The Training4CRM consortium has produced a video to show and describe our work to the general public. You can find it here on Youtube (https://youtu.be/vF-aeKE34dE).
Our ESRs 2, 10 and 11 (Hakan, Theresa and Robin) are participating with the Training4CRM opto-electrical device in the Termis Business Plan Competition. They reached the final round and will pitch their business plan at the Termis conference in Rhodes 27.-31. May 2019.
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ESR1
To design, fabricate and characterise polymer and carbon based optoelectrical waveguides as future potential cell carrying implants with both optical and electrical properties.
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ESR2
To fabricate perfusable 3D hybrid scaffolds using novel hybrid 3D printing technology that simultaneously enables filament extrusion printing and hydrogel/bio-printing, incorporating in the same scaffold different material properties.
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ESR3
To fabricate various surface nanotopographies and microarchitectures in different materials, investigating their role in how cells make different developmental decisions.
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ESR4
Electronic circuits for optical stimulation, bioimpedance and electrochemical sensing.
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ESR5
To design, fabricate and characterise perfusion based bioreactor and sensor array systems for optimising and screening of 3D cell culture conditions and modelling neuronal disorders.
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ESR6
Perform linear and non-linear (memristive) properties of cells and tissues. To study the behaviour of the methods developed in some of the other ESRs in animal models.
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ESR7
To fabricate, characterise, apply 3D IPN scaffolds loaded with different ThFs as factor delivery systems (FDS) for improved hSC stability and induced differentiation.
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ESR8
Develop, characterise hSCs-producing ThFs, and autocrine/paracrine effects.
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ESR9
Develop human neurons releasing neurotransmitters of interest, either on the basis of a highly enriched population of one neuron subtype or by selectively stimulating the release from the desired population of neurons in vitro and/or in vivo.
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ESR10
To create a 3D microenvironment that allows scaling up of existing mini-brains towards “small brains”.
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ESR11
To create individualized blood vessels and brain networks in perfusable 3D scaffolds using de- and recellularization technology.
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ESR12
To study therapeutic factor releasing cell carrier implants in clinically relevant animal disease models.
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ESR13
To provide neurotransmitter releasing cell carrier implants in clinically relevant animal disease models (PD and HD).
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ESR14
Study the applicability of the GABA releasing cells with or without carrier implants in clinically relevant animal models of Epilepsy.
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ESR15
To design, fabricate and characterise a miniaturised instrument for monitoring both linear and non-linear (memristive) properties of cells and tissues, interfaced with the electrochemical sensor developed by ESR4.
Work Package: Micro- and Nanofabrication
Training ESRs in the use of a range of different fast prototyping- and cleanroom based micro- and nanofabrication techniques to become knowledgeable and skilled in how to engineer:
- 3D structures in different materials and architectures for use as CCS, FDS, OEWs, sensors and/or actuators
- Perfusion based 3D LOC systems with integrated bioreactors and sensors arrays systems
- Electronic components for wireless control and communication
Contact: Jenny Emnéus at jenny.emneus@nanotech,dtu.dk
Work Package: Biotechnology
Training ESRs in hSC (hiPSCs, hNSCs) production- and differentiation, cell and molecular biology-, and tissue engineering techniques to become knowledgeable and skilled in how to:
- Produce and differentiate hSCs into specific neural phenotypes under good manufacturing practices (GMP)
- Genetically modify hSCs to stabilize and control developmental stem cell fate choices in vitro
- Create in-vivo-like artificial tissues and organs.
Contact Alberto Martinéz Serrano at amserrano@cbm.csic.es
Work Package: Preclinical studies
Training ESRs in pre-clinical- and in vivo monitoring studies to become knowledgeable and skilled in how to:
- Deliver therapeutic factors (incl. neurotrophins, neuropeptides), and neurotransmitters in the healthy and diseased brain
- Monitor the therapeutic efficacy of cell based interventions in suitable models of nervous system disease, e.g. PD, HD, Epilepsy
- Design and conduct pre-clinical research as a means to prepare for future clinical trials
Contact Merab Kokaia at merab.kokaia@med.lu.se
Work Package: Education and Training
- To train a new generation of truly interdisciplinary researchers in cell-based regenerative medicine, possessing scientific and transferable skills highly attractive to both the industrial and academic sectors, and capable of being future focal points in CRM
- To establish a multi-sectorial training and research network that reaches into the future, where academia and industry share and break new knowledge
- To implement and monitor the Training4CRM training activities.
Contact Ørjan G. Martinsen at o.g.martinsen@fys.uio.no
Work Package: Communication & Exploitation
- To create a comprehensive communication plan that ensures target-oriented and meaningful dissemination of Training4CRM results to different stakeholders, incl. scientific community, industry, policy makers, end-users and the general public
- To create an exploitation strategy that secures network wide attention to innovation, IPR and exploitation of both expected and unforeseen Training4CRM results
- To implement and follow up on the communication and exploitation strategies
Contact Josep Maria Canals Coll at jmcanals@ub.edu
Marie
Skłodowska-Curie
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