ivBM-4FTD - Using the In-Vivo Brillouin Microscope to assess the neuropathological features of Frontotemporal dementia models

Objetivo temático: The overall goal of the proposal is to provide to the consortium partners of the ivBM-4PAP Project, in-vitro models such as: induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and patient-derived brain organoids (“microbrains”) that recapitulate the brain changes observed in patients with Frontotemporal dementia (FTD), including cytoplasmic mislocalized and aggregated TDP-43, enlarged lysosomes and synaptic changes.

Área Científica: Molecular biology and interactions, Biomechanic

Síntese do Projeto: The models mentioned will contribute to test ivBM, performance in terms of reliability, spatial resolution and acquisition time. In addition, ivBM will be used to assess the mechanical properties of the existing structures in these living cells, their nature, changes in their mechanical properties and their relationship with the disease, catalysing the elucidation of the pathological mechanisms underlie FTD. Thus, the combination of patient-derived models with the ivBM biomechanical measurements will enhance their potential use in biomedical applications, translational medicine, and drug screening. As FTD is a highly heritable neurodegenerative disease, with a positive family history in approximately half of the patients, with autosomal dominant mutations identified in two main genes: chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9orf72) and progranulin (GRN), the genetic mediated forms of FTD, creates a unique opportunity to follow at-risk individuals (presymptomatic carriers) for years prior to clinical conversion.

Área de intervenção: Multinacional

Investigador Responsável na UC: Doutora Maria do Rosário Pires Maia Neves de Almeida

Unidade Orgânica UC: Reitoria - CNC

Instituições participantes no Projeto: Fondazione Istituto Italiano Di Tecnologia, UniversitàDegli Studi Di Trento (UNITN), Universidade de Zaragoza (Unizar), Crestoptics S.P.A. (CRESTOPTICS SPA) e Universitè D'Angers (UA).

Instituição Financiadora/Gestora: Comissão Europeia - European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency

Programa de Financiamento: HORIZON-WIDERA-2023-ACCESS-06-01

Período de execução: 01/05/2024 a 31/08/2026

Custo total elegível (EUR): 499 790,00 €

Apoio financeiro da UE: 499 790,00 €

Técnico do Projeto: Ana Rita Peixinho

Contacto: +351 239 247 026 | rita.peixinho@uc.pt