NMJ · Neuromuscular-Junction-on-a-Chip to study medication for Parkinson
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2019-07-01 → 2021-06-30
- EU contribution
- €184,708
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF-EF-SE
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
Neuromuscular-Junction-on-a-Chip to study medication for Parkinson
Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects 1-2 people out of 1000 overall, increasing to an incidence of 1% over 60 years old. There is currently no cure but medications can substantially reduce the symptoms of tremors and associated difficulties with movement and balance. However, the condition is progressive in severity and research into improved treatments and preventions is critically needed. Brain research faces many limitations due to the complexity of control and accessibility of the area. Investing in models of brain diseases will fill an urgent unmet need for accessible and reliable predictive models, notably, for nervous system diseases. The aim of this project was to develop a small medical device in the form of a miniature chamber to grow brain-derived cells that can be perfused with liquid and that mimics as closely as possible some key features of the brain environment. Creating these kinds of devices are the milestone of tomorrow’s diseases research. Here the long-term goal is to use this “brain-on-chip” to study Parkinson’s disease. Dopamine is a potent chemical messenger molecule (neurotransmitter) made by nerve cells in the brain and used to transmit signals to other cells. Dopamine deficiency is associated with some neurodegenerative conditions, including Parkinson’s disease. Current therapies include a dopamine precursor that can cross into the brain from the blood stream. Once validated, this micro brain-on-chip technology will have the potential to test therapies for Parkinson’s disease and other nervous system disorders.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
While Europe is still missing publishing researchers working on brain-a-chip devices, scientists and pharmaceutical companies growing interests in investing in organ-on-a-chip devices urges because these lab-on-a-chip devices offer highly accessible systems for proof-reading and testing hypothesis-driven research. Chips allow ultra low-cost test benches for medication and offer flexibility to healthcare. This biotechnology set the first milestone for bio-prosthesis and in situ implants.In the scope of this H2020 MSCA Fellowship, I propose to elaborate a neuromuscular-junction-on-a-chip, induce Parkinson with the well known α-synuclein and proactively test medication proposed by Novartis and Glaxosmithkline on the chip. The proposed schematic is designed to bring closer academia and industry, research and innovation, from design to market. Elvesys, microfluidic center innovation in Paris is the beneficiary of this H2020 MSCA Fellowship. Elvesys team is creating a microfluidic valley in France, with the vision focus on Regenerative Medicine. During this project, I am aiming at improving Europe's stance as a leading organisation in bioengineering and an attractive destination for research.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- ELVESYS · PARISCoordinatorFrance
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union