A modular methodology to revolutionize human-based disease modelling
Building µHeart and µNMC from MVP prototypes to PDMS-free Base/+ and high-throughput Pro versions.
Action 1 focuses on the engineering and biological development of the two core PHOENIX platforms: µHeart (cardiac) and µNMC (neuromuscular circuitry). The goal is to move from initial Minimum Viable Products (MVP) based on established technologies to advanced, industrially-relevant versions. These include the Base/+ versions, which utilize PDMS-free materials to avoid drug absorption, and the Pro versions, optimized for high-throughput screening. Each platform integrates mechanical stimulation, electrical recording, and force sensing to recapitulate human physiology with unprecedented precision.
Controllers, readout systems, and commercial-use gene-edited iPSC lines powering the PHOENIX ecosystem.
This action develops the modular hardware and biological resources required to operate the PHOENIX platforms effectively. It includes the uBox-4 (the mechanical stimulation controller), high-precision Flow Controllers for automated fluid management, and advanced Read-out systems for real-time data acquisition. Additionally, Action 2 delivers a library of gene-edited iPSC lines (healthy and diseased) to ensure biological standardization across the consortium and for future commercial users.
Clinically relevant disease models on PHOENIX platforms: LMNA-cardiomyopathies and Friedreich's Ataxia.
Action 3 provides the clinical proof-of-concept for the PHOENIX ecosystem. We implement two major genetic disease models: LMNA-cardiomyopathies (LMNA-CMP), characterized by electrical and mechanical dysfunction, and Friedreich's Ataxia (FRDA), focusing on neuromuscular circuit impairment. By comparing results from our platforms with clinical patient data, we demonstrate the predictive power of human-based in vitro models over traditional animal testing.
End-user driven testing, SOPs, and qualification in industrial and regulatory contexts.
This action ensures that PHOENIX platforms are ready for the market and regulatory acceptance. Through extensive alpha-testing and cross-site validation, we establish Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for every component of the ecosystem. The focus is on verifying the stability and reproducibility of the readouts when used by different operators, ensuring that the platforms provide reliable data for drug screening and toxicity evaluation.
Ensuring responsible innovation, dissemination, business exploitation, and ethical compliance.
Action 5 coordinates the strategic impact and governance of PHOENIX. It manages Dissemination, Communication, Exploitation and Societal Engagement to maximize visibility among scientific and industrial communities and foster technology transfer. Crucially, this action includes Ethics Requirements and Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) research led by POLIMI-META, investigating the ethical and socio-economic barriers to the adoption of non-animal models in medical research.
Scaling-up through low-cost screen-printed electronics for high-throughput cardiac safety screening.
Introduced through the Hop-On facility, Action 6 addresses the industrial need for scalable and cost-effective safety screening. We develop µSafeHeart, a specialized version of the cardiac platform utilizing low-cost screen-printed electrodes. This allows for massive scaling of cardiac safety and toxicology tests, making human-based in vitro screening accessible to a wider range of pharmaceutical players and CROs. This action also strengthens the project's impact in the Widening region by establishing advanced manufacturing and testing capabilities in Serbia.
