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HEStaff exchange2023–2027

WhyNotDry · Toward consolidation of germplasm and cell reversible drying through knowledge transfer.

Horizon Europe — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2023-10-01 → 2027-09-30
EU contribution
€676,200
Participants
7
Scheme
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-SE

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.

Results in brief

Toward consolidation of germplasm and cell reversible drying through knowledge transfer.

Project Context WhynotDry aims to develop alternative storage methods for genetic banks by inducing reversible drying in cells and germplasm (spermatozoa). The goal is to create low-cost, low-carbon biobanks that reduce reliance on liquid nitrogen (LN), which is effective but expensive, facility-dependent, and carbon-intensive. Building on the previous RISE project Drynet, the consortium (three EU universities, two EU SMEs, and partners from Japan and Thailand) will advance technologies for controlled drying and identify optimal xeroprotectants and delivery methods for mammalian cells and spermatozoa. Strategies are inspired by the desiccation-tolerant midge Polypedilum vanderplanki and its cell line. Knowledge exchange through staff secondments will support this work. Overall Objective To demonstrate that reversible drying can enable low-cost, carbon-neutral biobanking. Sub-Objectives I. Build a multidisciplinary international team to study reversible drying. II. Generate preliminary data on drying mammalian cells through exchanges and shared expertise. III. Create the conceptual and experimental basis for a benchtop device for controlled water removal. IV. Train a new cohort of ER/ESRs with skills in alternative biobanking for careers within and beyond academia.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

WhyNotDry will deepen our knowledge on reversible drying in cells and germplasm toward the development of a dry biobanking as an alternative to the current freezing in Liquid Nitrogen (LN). LN is expensive, requires dedicated facilities and power supply, and has a high CO2 footprint. WhyNotDry will achieve its aims through a multidisciplinary, intersectoral, international network of scientists that will: i) Develop a drying/rehydration platform using naturally desiccation-tolerant midge (Polypedilum vanderplanki) Pv11 cell lines; ii) Identify the best combination of naturally occurring xeroprotectants (xero=dry) from desiccation-tolerant insect cell line and the best performing water subtraction platform. iii) To use the best xeroprotectants mix and the drying/rehydration protocol for mammalian cells/germplasm. vi) Develop a prototype for controlled dehydration of microvolumes of cell. The R&I activities leading to these aims will be carried out by knowhow sharing through Staff Exchanges between: 3 EU academies, 2 EU SMEs, 2 international partners (Japan, Thailand). Outcomes of WhyNotDry will be incorporated into a cheap, environmentally friendly, and easy biobanking for biodiversity conservation, assisted reproduction, stem cell/personalized medicine. Successful development of this technology will set the basis for a radically new, ‘green’ biobanking paradigm, simplifying the maintenance and shipping practices in life sciences, with enormous reduction in costs and carbon footprint. Moreover, knowledge generated in WhyNotDry would be applicable to other fields such as agriculture, environmental science, food processing, and the pharmaceutical industry, where elective or enforced (by climate change) drying is dealt with. Finally, WhyNotDry will empower young scientists with transferable skills, ensuring career prospects in academia/industry, and strengthen the international/sectorial network between disciplines, boosting European excellence.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

  • UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI TERAMO · TeramoCoordinatorItaly
  • AVANTEA SRL · CREMONAItaly
  • BIOTALENTUM TUDASFEJLESZTO KFT · GoedoelloHungary
  • CHULALONGKORN UNIVERSITY · BangkokThailand
  • NATIONAL AGRICULTURE AND FOOD RESEARCH ORGANIZATION · TSUKUBA IBARAKIJapan
  • UNIVERSIDAD DE BURGOS · BurgosSpain
  • UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI CAGLIARI · CagliariItaly

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union