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H2020COFUND2018–2024

MINDED · MultIscale precision therapies for NeuroDEvelopmental Disorders

Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2018-01-01 → 2024-06-30
EU contribution
€3,398,400
Participants
16
Scheme
MSCA-COFUND

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.

Results in brief

MultIscale precision therapies for NeuroDEvelopmental Disorders

The MINDED project has trained research fellows across three major disciplines: nanomedicine, aimed at delivering therapeutic and imaging agents for NeuroDevelopmental Disorders (NDD) through multifunctional nanoconstructs; molecular neuroscience, focusing on identifying genes related to NDD and synthesizing RNA molecules to restore their expression; and cognitive neuroscience robotics, which developed novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies using assistive robotics for NDDs. The MINDED fellows made significant impacts in three key areas. First, they demonstrated that robot-assisted interventions improved social skills in educational and therapeutic settings for children with autism. Personalized robot training, tailored to the different sensory abilities of patients, yielded better therapeutic outcomes. Second, research on RNA highlighted the role of LINE-1 elements in brain development, linking their disruptions to NDD. Finally, MINDED fellows developed microPlates, a novel drug delivery system for the sustained release of small molecules, enhancing cognitive function in preclinical models while utilizing machine learning to optimize the properties of these systems. This work has been documented in over 60 scientific manuscripts published under the program and an equally large number of presentations at international and national conferences, as well as at dissemination events organized for the general public. While the advancements presented by the MINDED fellows have enhanced our understanding and ability to treat NDDs, additional fundamental steps are needed for the effective integration of these disciplines and the development of successful therapies. The MINDED program has provided the fellows with the intellectual tools and knowledge to continue this research independently in various settings, both academic and industrial.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) represent an enormous burden for patients, their families, and society. Within EU, the incidence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is increasing to over 100 per 10,000 individuals. By comparison, new cases of brain cancers in EU are estimated to be 10 per 10,000. Also, the requirement for lifelong care has a dramatic impact on healthcare costs, with an average lifelong cost per ASD patient of ~ 3.0 MEuro. The societal and economic impact, the growing incidence, and the lack of any cure call for radical changes in the way NDD are approached. At this aim, MINDED will integrate across three major technologies: nanomedicine, for the precise delivery of therapeutic and imaging agents; molecular neuroscience, for the identification of RNAs modulating key gene expression; cognitive neuroscience robotics, for the development of novel sensorimotor interventional approaches. The integration of these technologies requires the establishment of a new class of scientists and entrepreneurs trained to stretch their knowledge over multiple disciplines and think outside conventional silos. MINDED bridges together different vertical silos building common foundations for future interdisciplinary careers.The objective of MINDED is two-fold: develop a highly interdisciplinary post-doctoral training program by integrating nanomedicine, neuroscience and robotics; involve fellows in activities aimed at developing multiscale technologies for NDD. This will be achieved via two training paths: a scientist path, engaging fellows in the development of novel diagnosis and treatment approaches for NDD; a business developer path, engaging fellows on the integration of biomedical technologies in the clinic.MINDED fellows will constitute a new class of scientists and entrepreneurs capable of developing novel treatment and diagnosis approaches for complex genetic diseases and shaping the future integration of nanomedicine and robotics with neurosciences.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

  • FONDAZIONE ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI TECNOLOGIA · GenovaCoordinatorItaly
  • ALMA MATER STUDIORUM - UNIVERSITA DI BOLOGNA · BolognaItaly
  • BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE LELAND STANFORD JUNIOR UNIVERSITY · STANFORDUnited States
  • CHARLES RIVER DISCOVERY RESEARCH SERVICES FINLAND OY · KuopioFinland
  • DEUTSCHES KREBSFORSCHUNGSZENTRUM HEIDELBERG · HeidelbergGermany
  • DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL · DurhamUnited Kingdom
  • ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE · LausanneSwitzerland
  • FORSCHUNGSZENTRUM JULICH GMBH · JULICHGermany
  • LULEA TEKNISKA UNIVERSITET · LULEASweden
  • MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN EV · MUNCHENGermany
  • Radboudumc · NijmegenNetherlands
  • SCUOLA INTERNAZIONALE SUPERIORE DI STUDI AVANZATI DI TRIESTE · TriesteItaly
  • TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY · Tel AvivIsrael
  • UNIVERSIDADE DO MINHO · BragaPortugal
  • UNIVERSITE PARIS-SACLAY · Gif-Sur-YvetteFrance
  • UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON · LondonUnited Kingdom

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union