Date: 11/10/2024
On October 7-8, 2024, the MPS_NOVA EU Twinning Project officially kicked off with a dynamic meeting at ITQB NOVA, bringing together researchers, technical staff, and advisory board members from across Europe. The event marked the beginning of a collaborative effort to advance Microphysiological Systems (MPS) research for infectious diseases and host-microbe interactions.
A United Front in MPS Research
The kickoff meeting gathered participants from ITQB NOVA and NOVA Medical School – Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, along with our valued international partners:
- Universitätsklinikum Jena (UKJ), Germany
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC), Germany
- Fondazione Human Technopole (FHT), Italy
A diverse group of researchers, technical staff, facility managers, and research managers contributed to discussions, setting the stage for a productive collaboration in the coming years. Each team presented their expertise in MPS, stem cells, ‘omics’ technologies, microscopy, and bioinformatics, showcasing the essential capabilities needed to drive innovation in the field.
Exploring the Future of MPS Technologies
The meeting featured insightful presentations on key advancements in the field, including: – Brains in a Dish: Organoids & Chips – Exploring brain organoids and their integration with organ-on-chip technologies – Advances in Skin Microphysiological Systems – Developing human-relevant models for dermatological research – Innovations in Microphysiological Systems for Other Organs – Extending MPS applications to study complex disease mechanisms
This event also provided a unique opportunity to strengthen ties with our international partners, including Alexander Mosig (UKJ), Stefan Kempa and Agnieszka Rybak-Wolf (MDC), Giovanni Faga and Jacopo Zasso (FHT), as well as our esteemed advisory board members: Bruno Pereira, Elena Martinez, Martin Raasch, Paula Alves, and Paul Wilmes.
A Promising Start for a Transformative Project
The MPS_NOVA kickoff meeting laid the foundation for a strong collaborative network, paving the way for groundbreaking research and technological advancements in MPS. With this momentum, we are excited to move forward together and unlock new possibilities in disease modeling!
