Dentin hypersensitivity (DH) is a prevalent health condition occurring in more than 50% of the population. Despite the upward trend of risk, there has not been a permanent solution to DH. An ideal treatment should reproduce a well-integrated mineral layer, mimicking the protective cementum tissue that covers exposed tubules and seals tightly by penetrating into them. Such restoration can be accomplished using peptides that epitomize mineralization properties of dental proteins. Proposed herein is the development of a novel approach called Deep Mineralization, that will enable biomimetic restoration of exposed dentin by forming a well-integrated acellular cementum-like protective mineral layer. This will be accomplished via four specific objectives that include: (i) Experimental selection of peptides via directed evolution paired with next-generation sequencing called Deep Directed Evolution to generate peptide datasets (big data); (ii) Development of protein-derived peptides via machine learning (ML) based predictive design platform (Biomineralization Intelligence) that is trained with big data and refined through (iii) High-throughput (HTP) validation assays, and eventually (iv) Establishing a peptide-guided remineralization methodology (Deep Mineralization) by mimicking the remineralization action of saliva in which remineralizing peptides bind to exposed dentin, recruit calcium and phosphate ions and synthesize an integrated acellular cementum-like mineral layer, thereby, restoring tooth’s natural protection. Aligned with the current vision of the EU that aims to adapt methodologies to generate big data and tools to enable fast-track discoveries with healthcare delivery, this study marks the onset of implementing ML and HTP screening methods into dental research. Successful completion of this project will result in a line of preventive oral care products with the long-term vision of establishing a molecular toolkit for complete tissue regeneration.

The Sustainable Water Management (SWM) doctoral training programme, Water4All, brings together complementary expertise of a diverse group of researchers from 4 leading universities to offer unique interdisciplinary, intersectoral and international research and training opportunities for 20 highly competitive Doctoral Candidates (DCs). The leading academic institutions from the biggest cities in Turkiye are Izmir Institute of Technology (IZTECH-beneficiary), stanbul Technical University (ITU), Gebze Technical University (GTU), and Middle East Technical University (METU). Water4All is constructed by integrating academic and scientific training modules which cover different aspects of sustainable water management. The main modules are identified as Environment, Electronics, Planning, Material Science and Energy, and each has different angles of training on research and expected outcomes. In this respect, academic training of DCs in Water4All is constructed in a modular approach that is interdisciplinary by nature. Academic training is coupled with a well-defined set of academic/non-academic international/national secondment trainings highlighting the international axis of the proposed Programme-, and with a series of common trainings granted to each DC in soft and transferable skills. Water4All will widen the career perspectives of DCs by enhancing their professional experiences through the inclusion of secondments in renowned international and national academic institutions, private companies and public utilities, ensuring intersectorality and internationality through these collaborations. Thus, Water4All will increase the national, regional and European competitiveness by providing a new generation of highly-qualified experts in SWM that are able to translate applied science research results into solutions. Supervisors selected for Water4All have previous and/or ongoing industry consultancy/research collaborations.