Accessing research funds
The Ri.MED Foundation supports its scientific activity through funding opportunities offered by public and private bodies, regional, national and international institutions.
Accessing research funds is a strategic activity for the Foundation. For this reason, a Grants Office was established to select financial programs supporting biomedical research, specialized training and dissemination activities, submitting proposals (also in collaboration with other bodies) and managing relationships with administrations managing financing programs, as well as coordinating and supervising the approved projects.
During 2020, activities continued on the nine multi-year projects financed in 2018 and 2019 and currently in progress.
In 2020, three new R&D projects received funding under regional (PO FERS 2014-2020) and national (PON MIUR and PON MISE) funds. The Ri.MED Foundation is also host institution for the prestigious ERC Consolidator Grant of the European Commission (HORIZON 2020) obtained by a Ri.MED scientist. This very positive result recognizes the commitment and skills of our researchers.
Among the 2020 activities aimed at obtaining research funds, two projects were submitted for the HORIZON 2020 EU calls, four under national funds (MUR ) and one under the scientific culture dissemination call (MUR ).
In addition, ten new innovative industrial research doctorate proposals were submitted of which seven were funded. Moreover, one fellowship was funded by INPS.
Ongoing scientific project in 2020
OACTIVE – Advanced personalised, multi-scale computer models preventing OsteoArthritis
Funded by: HORIZON 2020 Action SC1-PM-17 European Commission.
The goal of the project is to develop models to improve osteoarthritis diagnosis and treatment using a holistic approach, providing for the integration of patient-specific information from different sources (cells, tissues, organs) with behavioral patterns and socio-environmental risk factors.
Details
Call: H2020-SC1-2016-2017 (Personalised Medicine)
Type of action: RIA (Research and Innovation action)
Topic: Personalised computer models and in-silico systems for well-being
Proposal acronym: OACTIVE
Proposal title: Advanced personalised, multi-scale computer models preventing OsteoArthritis
Start date: November, 2017
Duration: 36 mesi
Capofila: EDEX – EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE CORPORATION LIMITED (Cipro)Abstract:
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease of the articular cartilage and the most common form of arthritis that causes joint pain, mobility limitation and, thus, reduces independence and overall quality of life. Although the usual population associated with the condition is the elderly (65 years old ranges from 12- 30%), who are mostly inactive, athletes and younger individuals are also susceptible. Whilst the available data have implicated the role of the various modifiable or non-modifiable risk factors in the development and progression of OA, no study has conclusively explored the interaction and integration of other information sets in a patient-specific manner. The current OACTIVE project intents to make a significant leap forward adopting a multi-scale holistic approach where patient-specific information from various levels, including cell, tissue, organ and whole body will be integrated and combined with information from other sources such as biochemical/inflammatory biomarkers, behavior modeling and social/environmental risk factors to generate robust predictors for new personalised interventions for delaying onset and slowing down progression of OA. OACTIVE targets to patient-specific OA prediction and interventions by using a combination of mechanistic, phenomenological computational models, simulations and big data analytics. Once constructed, these models will be used to simulate and predict optimal treatments, better diagnostics, and improved patient outcomes. Overcoming the limitation of the current treatment interventions, Augmented Reality empowered interventions will be developed in a personalised framework allowing patients experience the treatment as more enjoyable, resulting in greater motivation, engagement, and training adherence. OACTIVE’s mission is to improve healthcare by transforming and accelerating the OA diagnosis and prediction based on a more comprehensive understanding of disease pathophysiology, dynamics, and patient outcomes.Partner:
- EDEX – EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE CORPORATION LIMITED – Cyprus
- ETHNIKO KENTRO EREVNAS KAI TECHNOLOGIKIS ANAPTYXIS – Greece
- LIVERPOOL JOHN MOORES UNIVERSITY – United Kingdom
- PANEPISTIMIO PATRON – Greece
- SMARTEX S.R.L. – Italy
- KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT LEUVEN – Belgium
- CENTER FOR TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH AND INNOVATION LTD – Cyprus
- ACONDICIONAMIENTO TARRASENSE ASSOCIACION – Spain
- Fondazione Ri.MED- Italy
- TIME.LEX – Belgium
- AXIA Innovation UG – Germany
- Animus Rehabilitation & Recovery Center – Greece
- FUNDACION PARA LA INVESTIGACION DEL HOSPITAL UNIVERSITARIO LA FE DE LA COMUNIDAD VALENCIANA – Spain
CheMISt
Computational Molecular Design e Screening
Funded by: Assessorato alle Attività Produttive of the Region of Sicily within the scope of the “Patto per il Sud” (Interministerial Committee for Economic Planning – CIPE funds)
CheMISt aims at developing integrated laboratories and interdisciplinary research teams to support Ri.MED’s research, in order to become a point of reference for scientific research on a regional, national and international level for public and private entities. The project involves the realization of four units according to the “lab hosting” formula: Structural Biology and Biophysics; Computational and Medicinal Chemistry; High Throughput Screening; Bioengineering.
PROGEMA
Green processes for the extraction of active ingredients and the purification of waste and non-waste matrices
Funded by: Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research, 2014-2020 PON Research and Innovation
The goal is to improve the treatment of vegetation waters of the oil production chain to extract and reallocate pharmacologically active organic compounds, reduce their polluting effect, and re-use treated waters in the production processes.
OBIND – Oncological therapies through Biological Interaction Network Discovery
Funded by: Region of Sicily – PO FERS Action 1.1.5
The project focuses on the study of biological interactions influencing tumor diseases using new statistical and computational data processing methods, and multiple source integrated data analysis model application.
PROMETEO
Advanced Medicinal Products placenta-derived for liver and endometrial diseases
Funded by: Region of Sicily – PO FERS Action 1.1.5
The main goal of the project is to develop cell-based products from stem cells isolated from the placenta for clinical applications. Through in vitro and in vivo studies, cellular therapies will be developed to treat acute and chronic liver diseases and reactivate the endometrium. The therapeutic effects of cells and by-products will be tested on in vivo models of acute and chronic liver injury and on in vitro models for endometrial reactivation. All tasks will be optimized according to the principles of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to develop cellular therapies.
Progetto iRhom2
“iRhom2 a new therapeutic target in osteoarthritis”
Funded by: Fondazione con il Sud – Bando Capitale Umano ad Alta qualificazione 2018
The goal of the project is to validate iRhom2 as potential and innovative therapeutic target of osteoarthritis, using state-of the-art proteomics methods and in vivo models of the disease. The project also aims at studying iRhom2 inhibitors.
The addition of simvastatin portal venous infusion to cold storage solution of explanted whole liver grafts for facing ischemia/reperfusion injury in an area with low rate of deceased donation
Finanziato da: Ministero della Salute nell’ambito del Programma di Ricerca Finalizzata 2013
L’obiettivo del progetto è testare l’eventuale efficacia clinica della somministrazione di Simvastatina per via intragastrica tre ore prima del cross-clamp del fegato intero dal donatore cadavere. Lo studio monocentrico, prospettico e randomizzato in doppio cieco, prevede l’arruolamento di 106 pazienti e il confronto con la procedura standard su campione trattato solo con placebo.
Research infrastructures – “GMP Facility, Laboratori di Ricerca e Servizi Diagnostici e Terapeutici dell’Istituto Mediterraneo per i Trapianti e le Terapie ad Alta Specializzazione”
Funded by: Assessorato alle Attività Produttive of the Region of Sicily
The goal of the project is to strengthen research, cell production, and diagnostic laboratories of the Ri.MED – ISMETT cluster by the purchase of cutting-edge equipment and by infrastructural improvements.
Piano delle attività “TRASFERIMENTI PER METODOLOGIE INNOVATIVE NEL CAMPO DELLE BIOTECNOLOGIE 2018″
Funded by: Legge di stabilità Regione Siciliana Assessorato Salute Dipartimento DASOE
The goal is to support and improve Ri.MED – ISMETT research activities on regenerative medicine, immunotherapy, bioengineering and precision medicine.
JESSICA (Joint European Support for Sustainable Investment in City Areas)
With reference to project financing, Ri.MED Foundation also participates in the Joint European Support for Sustainable Investment in City Areas (JESSICA) initiative. In Sicily, the Urban Development Fund dedicated to city development projects is the Fondo di Rigenerazione Urbana (FRUS), fully owned by EQUITER Spa, a company of the Intesa Sanpaolo Group. FRUS expressed its interest in supporting Ri.MED Foundation’s BRBC project using its JESSICA funds, subject to its inclusion in the Urban Development Integrated Plan (PISU) of the Municipality of Carini, which was formalized in July 2013.
With letter n. 56880 dated December 4, 2014, the Foundation received director general’s order (DDG) n. 2301 from the Department of Infrastructure for Mobility and Transportation – Office 7, dated September 26, 2014, registered at the Court of Auditors – Office 2: Control of legitimacy of deeds of the Region of Sicily, on November 10, 2014, endorsing the validity and eligibility for funding of the project submitted by the Foundation within the JESSICA initiative.
Specifically, the JESSICA financing amounts to a total of €40 million (to be used to cover part of the BRBC construction costs) provided by Intesa Sanpaolo in a one-off allocation to be returned with a zero interest rate, in thirty biannual deferred capital installments starting from January 1, 2019. This represents a substantial opportunity for the Foundation as it allows to access significant funds for the BRBC start-up phase, providing collateral that will be gradually reduced in a manner proportional to debt recovery.
The agreement with Intesa Sanpaolo was signed on December 22, 2014 after the Board of Directors approved the BRBC’s “definitivo” project.
Projects eligible for funding in 2020
SENSO
Development of a miniaturized device for monitoring oxidative stress in cellular systems
Funded by: Region of Sicily – PO FERS Action 1.1.5
The project aims at creating a nanosensor to detect hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) released in vitro/ex vivo cellular system culture. The project aims at making available an innovative, robust, reliable, and small-sized lab tool to monitor the H2O2 release within the culture in real time, without affecting the cells’ growth conditions.
4FRAILTY
Intelligent sensors, infrastructures and management models for the safety of fragile subjetcs
Funded by: Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research, 2014-2020 PON Research and Innovation
The goal is to create a computational tool to simulate the sensory platform, including all sensors and vital and environmental signs collected during the clinical work-up. The simplicity and versatility of the computational implementation will allow to quickly simulate different virtual scenarios of any alteration of vital and environmental signs associated with a disease.
NABUCCO
New Drugs and Biomarkes of pharmacological response and resistance in colorectal cancer
Funded by: Italian Ministry of Economic Development (MISE) Innovation Agreement Call
The goal is to create a diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic network from the collaboration between big pharma (Merck Serono), SMEs (BIOVIIIX), IRCCS and academic world (Universita “Vanvitelli”, Ri.MED, IEO) for deconvolution of pathogenic mechanisms underlying the causes of colorectal carcinoma.
BIOMITRAL
Engineering the mitral valve: bioinspired control of structure and function for enhanced in vivo performance
Funded by: European Commission HORIZON 2020 – ERC Consolidator Grant
The goal of the project is to develop an innovative prototype of a mitral valve by engineering the chordal apparatus and reconnecting the left ventricle with the valve leaflets.
Scientific projects submitted in 2020
PORTRAIT
Personalized healthcare data storage and analysis platform to support non-invasive diagnosis of liver steatosis, fibrosis and inflammation in NAFLD by artificial intelligence
Call: H2020-SC1-2020- HORIZON 2020 – European Commission
The aim of the project is to create new tools for an accurate, non-invasive and personalized assessment of the progression of non-alcoholic steatopatitis (NASH) by the engineering of a framework able to collect and aggregate clinical data from several European hospitals and by using machine learning and deep learning techniques.
JEDI GRANDCHALLENGE – BILLION MOLECULES AGAINST COVID-19
Call: Joint European Disruptive Initiative (JEDI)
The aim of the project is to identify through in silico screening potential compounds to inhibit three different therapeutic targets associated with coronavirus.
Meet Ri.MED
The Foundation participated as consultant in the 2020 Special Integrative Fund for Research FISR-MIUR COVID 19 Call with the following projects:
• SAAB: Targeting of genes that cause SARS-CoV-2 disease
• DROPS: Development of an advanced platform for the systemic assessment of personal protective equipment
• SEMAR: Nano-structured sensor for oxidative stress integrated in a mask for the remote evaluation
• SOAR-MIA: Early warning operational strategy through statistical monitoring of epidemiological data and Artificial Intelligence