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H2020Doctoral network2019–2022

OrganoVIR · Organoids for Virus Research - An innovative training-ETN programme

Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2019-01-01 → 2022-12-31
EU contribution
€3,983,592
Participants
15
Scheme
MSCA-ITN

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.

Results in brief

Organoids for Virus Research - An innovative training-ETN programme

There are many viral infections that pose a huge burden on human health, for which treatment or vaccines are still not available. OrganoVIR (Organoids for Virus Research) aims to study these viruses with human cell cultures known as organoids, that accurately mimic human tissues. Using these human organoids will increase our understanding of these viral infections, which will help with development of new antiviral treatments or vaccines. OrganoVIR’s goal is to establish human organoids as superior models for viral pathogenesis studies and antiviral testing, thus replacing animal models. OrganoVIR has attained this goal by achieving its four research objectives: 1) Develop, standardize, and improve organoid models for virus research; 2) Understand human viral pathogenesis by using human organoids as infection models; 3) Apply organoids in antiviral compound testing; and 4) Assess ethical and societal impact of organoid technology and identify factors that drive investment in this new biotechnology. To accomplish its goals, OrganoVIR has provided an innovative training programme aimed to deliver highly skilled researchers that are capable of implementing and sustaining organoid technology, as well as innovate virus research in the EU. OrganoVIR is the first ITN to provide a novel pre-MBA programme and a Personal Developmental Plan to its researchers, allowing them to go beyond the lab and setting the new standard for future ITNs.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

OrganoVIR (Organoids for Virus Research) will train young researchers (ESRs) in the field of organoids and virology. Human viral infection studies lack suitable experimental models as animal models or conventional 2-dimensional (2D) cell cultures do not translate to human infection. OrganoVIR makes use of the breakthrough in the culturing of primary human cells into 3D cultures (organoids). Within this ETN programme, organoids will be used for the first time to study human viral infections in their natural environment. OrganoVIR includes leading partners in virology and organoid technology covering 7 academic institutes, 3 life science companies, 1 organoid technology private company, 2 non-profit organisations, a national public health institute and a business school originating from 8 countries. The aim is to introduce and establish human organoids as superior models for viral pathogenesis studies and antiviral testing, thus replacing animal models and reducing animal use. OrganoVIR provides a full package ETN programme for ESRs to learn the science of innovative 3D culture systems for virus research as well as financial, commercial, ethical, communicative, policy and dissemination aspects for optimal valorization. The projects are intensified by significant secondments at commercial, governmental and non-profit partner institutes. OrganoVIR provides: - High-ranked scientific and technical training in an interdisciplinary, intersectoral and international top research project - Training in transferrable managerial skills, including a pre-MBA - Implementation of innovative organoid technology for viral pathogenesis studies and antiviral development - Innovation in organoid technology by co-culture design and high throughput screening. OrganoVIR combines frontier research with an innovative training programme in a complementary network, certifying high impact scientists.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

  • ACADEMISCH MEDISCH CENTRUM BIJ DE UNIVERSITEIT VAN AMSTERDAM · AmsterdamCoordinatorNetherlands
  • CHARLES RIVER NEDERLAND BV · LeidenNetherlands
  • DANMARKS TEKNISKE UNIVERSITET · Kongens LyngbyDenmark
  • EPITHELIX SARL · Plan Les OuatesSwitzerland
  • KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT LEUVEN · LeuvenBelgium
  • KONINKLIJKE NEDERLANDSE AKADEMIE VAN WETENSCHAPPEN - KNAW · AMSTERDAMNetherlands
  • Organome LLC · Baltimore, Md,United States
  • RIJKSINSTITUUT VOOR VOLKSGEZONDHEID EN MILIEU (RIVM) · BILTHOVENNetherlands
  • STEMCELL TECHNOLOGIES UK LTD · CAMBRIDGEUnited Kingdom
  • STICHTING PROEFDIERVRIJ* DUTCH SOCIETY FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF ANIMAL TESTING · Den HaagNetherlands
  • UNIVERSITE CLERMONT AUVERGNE · CLERMONT FERRANDFrance
  • UNIVERSITE DE GENEVE · GeneveSwitzerland
  • UNIVERSITEIT UTRECHT · UtrechtNetherlands
  • UNIVERSITEIT VAN AMSTERDAM · AmsterdamNetherlands
  • UNIWERSYTET JAGIELLONSKI · KrakowPoland

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union