REGENERATION aims to (i) build a multidisciplinary research network involving experts of technical and medical disciplines to merge their expertise and exploit possible synergies for the development of reliable and sustainable in vitro cell models of healthy and aged bone tissue treated with or without QMR (Quantum Molecular Resonance) and (ii) train a cohort of scientists and technologists in exploiting the model features to increase knowledge on the effects of aging on bone biology and mechanobiology, and on bone response to QMR, to leverage the use of cell models in clinics and basic/industrial research labs. Bone aging reduces the quality of life of the elderly and puts social and economic burden on society. Aging bones fail more easily when challenged mechanically or with toxicants or pollutants, and respond differently to drugs than healthy bone. To personalize therapies and enable better preventive care for the elderly it is essential to develop reliable and sustainable in vitro models of aged bone tissue alternative to animal tests which often fail to capture human-specific features. REGENERATION will involve 7 participants from 4 countries (Italy, France, Greece and Switzerland) and with 3 academic partners and 4 SMEs. The networking activities planned in REGENERATION will generate new knowledge about the mechanisms of bone growth, regeneration and aging, about drug and technologies development for bone pathologies and will study the effect of QMR stimuli in cell proliferation, differentiation and trasfection by in vitro and computational models.

The objective of BLUES is to expand the potential to produce valuable and unique bioactive compounds from marine invertebrates by developing novel cultivation systems of cell lines from 4 phyla of marine invertebrates (Porifera, Cnidaria, Echinodermata, Chordata) and optimizing production yield as an alternative to wild harvesting. For many years, research has been done to derive continuous cell lines from invertebrates. Only recently, BLUES partners reached a breakthrough and created the first continuous marine sponge cell line. Results demonstrated that sponge cells of several species can divide extremely rapidly. The ambition is to design the pathway towards industrial bioprocesses using marine invertebrate cell lines of different phyla as a chassis towards the production of unique high-value marine bio-based compounds, an environmentally sustainable alternative to wild harvesting. The novel bioprocesses that will be developed are not only an alternative for wild harvesting, solving the stock production bottleneck for increased availability of the bioactive compounds, but also for a higher level of sustainable alternative, contributing to the development of circular processing and circular economy. The technology that will be developed in BLUES will make it possible that valuable marine-natural products are produced in bioprocesses and with that contribute to the Blue Bioeconomy.

The research and innovation program, named GALATEA, stands as a pioneering venture targeting infant nutrition through the development of a digital twin of human milk. The program brings together interdisciplinary expertise from computational modeling, bioinformatics, clinical neonatology, experimental lab techniques, and engineered bioreactors for cell culturing, forming a consortium dedicated to advancing our understanding of human milk's complexities. The overarching objective is to create a sophisticated simulation platform that mirrors the intricate composition of human milk, allowing for the formulation of personalized nutrition plans for infants, particularly those born prematurely. GALATEA's innovative spirit extends beyond computational models, encompassing experimental lab work utilizing bioreactors and cutting-edge techniques like metabolomics and proteomics. The program's mobility component facilitates cross-disciplinary learning among participating organizations, fostering collaborative knowledge exchange. Anticipated outcomes include enhanced health outcomes for newborns, a deeper understanding of human milk for the advancement of artificial milk formulations, and the establishment of a robust research community dedicated to neonatal nutrition. GALATEA represents a holistic and innovative approach to the fundamental challenge of infant nutrition, setting new standards for personalized strategies and collaborative interdisciplinary efforts.

OSTEONET aims to (i) build a multidisciplinary research network involving experts of technical and medical disciplines to merge their expertise and exploit possible synergies for the development of reliable and sustainable 3D in vitro cell models of healthy and aged bone tissue and (ii) train a cohort of scientists and technologists in exploiting the model features to increase knowledge on the effects of ageing on bone biology and mechanobiology, and on bone response to drugs, to leverage the use of 3D cell models in clinics and basic/industrial research labs. Bone ageing reduces the quality of life of the elderly and puts social and economic burden on society. Ageing bones fail more easily when challenged mechanically or with toxicants or pollutants, and respond differently to drugs than healthy bone. To personalize therapies and enable better preventive care for the elderly it is essential to develop reliable and sustainable in vitro models of aged bone tissue alternative to animal tests which often fail to capture human-specific features. Several scientific studies support the idea that in vitro models of bone tissue are an outstanding resource for (i) the comprehension of bone physiology, (ii) a better understanding of pathological pathways in most bone dysfunctions, (iii) testing new or repurposed drugs for bone treatment before preclinical trials with animal models. The networking activities planned in OSTEONET will unravel and share knowledge on the mechanisms driving the information transfer from the biochemical and biomechanical levels, which drive osteosynthesis and osseointegration, to the cascade of molecular and cellular events emerging as an elaborated and physiological bone, and on the mechanisms of the different response of healthy and aged bone tissue to mechano-biological stimuli and drugs.