AstroCirc · ASTROcytes in CIRCuits: Unraveling their contribution in healthy and diseased brain circuits.
Horizon Europe — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2027-01-01 → 2030-12-31
- EU contribution
- €4,527,606
- Participants
- 27
- Scheme
- HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-DN
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Project objective
In 2021, an estimated 3.4 billion people—about 43% of the world’s population—were living with a neurological condition, underscoring the need for new strategies to understand and treat brain disorders. Decades of predominantly neuron-centric research have not delivered the breakthroughs required to reduce their growing global burden.AstroCirc proposes a shift toward a more complete view of brain circuitry by integrating the roles of astrocytes—the most abundant non-neuronal cells, essential for brain homeostasis and circuit dynamics. By leveraging astrocyte function, AstroCirc aims to uncover novel disease mechanisms and develop astrocyte-based, disease-modifying therapeutic strategies, expanding the options available to tackle neurological diseases.AstroCirc will train 15 doctoral candidates (DCs) in astrocyte–neuron interactions and neural circuitry, building on the project’s cross-disciplinary and intersectoral framework. DCs will be mentored by leading experts in glial biology and will access advanced methodologies and unique model systems across the consortium.Their research will span multiple levels of brain organization: from synaptic function as the basic unit of circuits (WP1), to circuit integration within brain networks (WP2), and finally to the development of astrocyte-informed interventions for a broad variety of neurological, neuropsychiatric, and neurodegenerative disorders (WP3).AstroCirc’s impact will be reflected in DCs equipped with strong technical and transferable skills, positioning them for successful careers beyond the project. Ultimately, AstroCirc will foster a new generation of researchers who drive and advocate for glia-centered approaches within European research and innovation.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- I3S - INSTITUTO DE INVESTIGACAO E INOVACAO EM SAUDE DA UNIVERSIDADE DO PORTO · PortoCoordinatorPortugal
- ACHUCARRO BASQUE CENTER FOR NEUROSCIENCE FUNDAZIOA · LeioaSpain
- AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS · MadridSpain
- AZIENDE CHIMICHE RIUNITE ANGELINI FRANCESCO - A.C.R.A.F. - SPA · RomaItaly
- Associação Accelbio · CantanhedePortugal
- BIOTECHNOLOGICKY USTAV AV CR VVI · VestecCzechia
- Bit Bio Limited · GirtonUnited Kingdom
- FACULDADE DE MEDICINA DA UNIVERSIDADE DE LISBOA · LisboaPortugal
- Gliapharm SA · GenevaSwitzerland
- Hogan Lovells International LLP · Frankfurt am MainGermany
- Humanized Solutions, Lda · Charneca Da CaparicaPortugal
- John Wiley and Sons Ltd · ChichesterUnited Kingdom
- KING'S COLLEGE LONDON · LondonUnited Kingdom
- KLINIKUM DER UNIVERSITAET REGENSBURG · RegensburgGermany
- NORGES TEKNISK-NATURVITENSKAPELIGE UNIVERSITET NTNU · TrondheimNorway
- PHIO scientific GmbH · MünchenGermany
- Synaptic Systems · GöttingenGermany
- TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET GRAZ · GrazAustria
- THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY OF JERUSALEM · JerusalemIsrael
- Thelial BV · WageningenNetherlands
- UNIVERSIDAD COMPLUTENSE DE MADRID · MadridSpain
- UNIVERSIDAD DEL PAIS VASCO/ EUSKAL HERRIKO UNIBERTSITATEA · LeioaSpain
- UNIVERSIDADE DO PORTO · PortoPortugal
- UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI CATANIA · CataniaItaly
- UNIVERSITAET REGENSBURG · RegensburgGermany
- UNIVERSITAT WIEN · WienAustria
- UNIVERZITA KARLOVA · Praha 1Czechia
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union