NOVA University Lisbon has once again strengthened its position within the European landscape of research excellence, having secured two Proof of Concept grants from the European Research Council (ERC) worth €150,000 each. The grants will support projects led by Cláudia Nunes dos Santos, a researcher at the NOVA Institute for Medical Systems Biology (NIMSB), and Catarina Homem, a researcher at NOVA Medical School (NMS).
Developed at NIMSB, ReMAP-PD is a new ‘brain-on-a-chip’ model that enables Parkinson’s disease treatments to be tested using human cells. This technology addresses a critical limitation of current research, as animal models used to study the disease cannot reliably predict how drugs will act in humans. By recreating key features of Parkinson’s disease in the laboratory, ReMAP-PD allows medicines to be tested under conditions that are closer to human biology. This method is also faster and more ethically sustainable.
MetaBoost, also developed at NMS, enables the creation of human neurons in the laboratory that more closely resemble real neurons in the brain. It solves the common problem that many ‘lab-grown’ neurons do not fully mature because their metabolism differs from that in the brain. Correcting this mismatch makes drug testing more reliable, reduces the need for animal experimentation and brings neuroscience research closer to clinical reality.
‘These two ERC Proof of Concept grants demonstrate NOVA’s ability to turn outstanding fundamental research into innovative solutions with high scientific, clinical and social impact potential. They also clearly reflect our institutional strategy to promote research models that are more predictive, sustainable, and ethically responsible, thereby strengthening NOVA’s position as a key player in the European research and innovation landscape,” says Cecília Roque, NOVA University Lisbon’s Vice-Rector for Research and Advanced Training.
ERC Proof of Concept grants are awarded exclusively to Principal Investigators who have previously received an ERC grant. Their main purpose is to support the potential for commercial and social innovation stemming from ERC-funded research.
More about each project
ReMAP-PD – NOVA Institute for Medical Systems Biology
At the NOVA Institute for Medical Systems Biology, Principal Investigator Cláudia Nunes dos Santos leads the ReMAP-PD project, which aims to develop a human cell-based “brain-on-a-chip” microphysiological platform capable of reproducing essential features of Parkinson’s disease.
This technology will allow medicines to be tested in a more biologically relevant, cost-effective and ethically sustainable way, overcoming known limitations of the animal models currently used. With Parkinson’s cases rising worldwide and traditional models offering weak predictive power, ReMAP-PD aims to validate a state-of-the-art solution that more faithfully reflects the human biology of the disease.
The platform will be evaluated using well-characterised pharmacological compounds, with the aim of demonstrating its scientific reliability, supporting future regulatory acceptance in the European Union, and attracting industrial partners.
By accelerating the discovery of safer and more effective therapies, the project contributes both to biomedical innovation and to reducing animal experimentation, in line with European principles of responsible research.
MetaBoost – NOVA Medical School
At NOVA Medical School, Principal Investigator Catarina Homem leads the MetaBoost project, an innovative metabolic reprogramming platform designed to improve the differentiation and maturation of neurons generated in vitro.
MetaBoost is designed to induce, in a controlled manner, the metabolic switch from glycolysis to oxidative phosphorylation, a key step in the development of functionally more mature neurons. This approach will be translated into a universal culture-medium supplement that is easy to use and compatible with different experimental systems, from Drosophila models to human neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells.
By enabling the generation of in vitro neurons that are closer to human physiological reality, MetaBoost has the potential to improve reproducibility in neuroscience research, make cellular models more predictive for pharmacological testing, and reduce reliance on animal models, in line with the 3Rs principle.
The project is therefore a clear example of how fundamental research can evolve into a practical solution with scientific, technological and ethical impact.