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H2020Doctoral network2020–2025

Disc4All · Training network to advance integrated computational simulations in translational medicine, applied to intervertebral disc degeneration

Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2020-11-01 → 2025-05-31
EU contribution
€3,996,777
Participants
12
Scheme
MSCA-ITN

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.

Results in brief

Training network to advance integrated computational simulations in translational medicine, applied to intervertebral disc degeneration

The European community requires a new generation of researchers who can work across traditional disciplinary boundaries, integrating experimental and in silico approaches to understand and manage highly prevalent multifactorial disorders, such as musculoskeletal disorders. The Disc4All training network addressed this need by focusing on intervertebral disc degeneration (LDD), a key contributor to low back pain (LBP), as a relevant case for integrating data and computational simulations in translational medicine. The project enabled rational interpretations of the complex interactions that lead to symptoms. LBP is the leading cause of morbidity worldwide and the 4th leading cause of DALYs among non-communicable diseases for individuals aged 25–49, according to the 2019 Global Burden of Disease Report. Despite its impact, specific causes remain unclear, resulting in limited treatment options and poor prognosis. LDD accounts for around 50% of LBP in young adults, yet the interplay of genetic, environmental, cellular, psychological, and social factors is still not fully understood. Integrating these factors into a comprehensive model of degenerative processes and risk remains a challenge that current biomedical and translational training programs often fail to address. Disc4All tackled this challenge through collaboration among clinicians, computational physicists and biologists, geneticists, computer scientists, cell and molecular biologists, microbiologists, bioinformaticians, and industry partners. The project offered interdisciplinary training in data curation and integration; experimental and computational modelling; algorithm and tool development; and simulation platforms to support clinical insights. Additional training covered dissemination, project management, research integrity, ethics, regulation, policy, business strategy, and public and patient engagement. All project objectives have been successfully achieved. The ESRs trained now represent a new generation of international professionals with unique, interdisciplinary skill sets to advance translational research in multifactorial disorders.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

The European community requires early stage researchers (ESRs) who can work across the boundaries of traditional disciplines, integrating experimental and in silico approaches to understand and manage complex multifactorial disorders. This training network utilises intervertebral disc degeneration (LDD) leading to low back pain (LBP) as a relevant application for data integration and computational simulations in translational medicine. LBP is the largest cause of morbidity worldwide, yet there remains controversy as to the specific cause leading to poor treatment options and prognosis. LDD is reported to account for 50% of LBP in young adults, but the interplay of factors from genetics, environmental, cellular responses and social and psychological factors is poorly understood. Unfortunately, the integration of such data into a holistic and rational map of degenerative processes and risk factors has not been achieved, requiring creation of professional crosscompetencies, which current training programmes fail to address. Disc4All aims to tackle this issue through collaborative expertise of clinicians; computational physicists and biologists; geneticists; computer scientists; cell and molecular biologists; microbiologists; bioinformaticians; and industrial partners. It provides interdisciplinary training in data curation and integration; experimental and theoretical/computational modelling; computer algorithm development; tool generation; and model and simulation platforms to transparently integrate primary data for enhanced clinical interpretations through models and simulations. Complementary training is offered in dissemination; project management; research integrity; ethics; regulation; policy; business strategy; and public and patient engagement. The Disc4All ESRs will provide a new generation of internationally mobile professionals with unique skill sets for the development of thriving careers in translational research applied to multifactorial disorders.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

  • UNIVERSIDAD POMPEU FABRA · BarcelonaCoordinatorSpain
  • BARCELONA SUPERCOMPUTING CENTER CENTRO NACIONAL DE SUPERCOMPUTACION · BARCELONASpain
  • FUNDACIO INSTITUT HOSPITAL DEL MAR D INVESTIGACIONS MEDIQUES · BarcelonaSpain
  • GALGO MEDICAL · BarcelonaSpain
  • INSILICOTRIALS TECHNOLOGIES S.P.A. · TriesteItaly
  • KING'S COLLEGE LONDON · LondonUnited Kingdom
  • OULUN YLIOPISTO · OuluFinland
  • PROTAVIO MONOPROSOPI E.P.E · GLYFADAGreece
  • SHEFFIELD HALLAM UNIVERSITY · SheffieldUnited Kingdom
  • THE UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD · SHEFFIELDUnited Kingdom
  • UNIVERSITAET BERN · BernSwitzerland
  • UNIVERSITE DE LIEGE · LIEGEBelgium

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union