NOVA Medical School has secured funding of 1.1 million euros in the Call for Scientific Research and Technological Development (IC&DT) Projects in All Scientific Domains 2023, promoted by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT). The NOVA University Lisbon medical school saw ten projects approved out of a total of 43 applications with direct participation, registering an approval rate of 23.3%, an increase of 5.3 p.p. compared to the previous call.
Of the ten projects funded, four are led by NOVA Medical School, having obtained almost 880 000 euros in direct funding. The remaining six, in which it participates in collaboration with researchers from other institutions, represent additional funding of around 245 000 euros.
The proposals address issues of social and scientific relevance, with a focus on heart disease, cancer, neurodegeneration and artificial intelligence applied to nanotechnology. The four initiatives coordinated by NOVA Medical School achieved the maximum individual funding, standing out for their innovative potential:
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The Cardioid4NCCM_EVTher project, coordinated by José Belo, aims to develop a human cardiac organoid model (cardioid) from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to study the pathogenesis of Non-Compaction Cardiomyopathy, the third most prevalent congenital heart disease. This project seeks to identify new therapeutic targets by exploring the role of the CCBE1 gene in myocardial development and compaction - key stages in heart formation - as well as to test new therapies mediated by Extracellular Vesicles (EVs).
- OncoNanoAI, a project led by João Conde, will develop artificial intelligence tools to design personalized nanoparticles that can be used in more effective treatments for triple-negative breast cancer, using an approach that can be adapted to other types of cancer and diseases.
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SYN3D, coordinated by Rita Teodoro, aims to investigate the role of biomechanical forces in the formation of synapses - sites of communication between neurons -, contributing to an emerging area of neuromechanobiology. By deepening our understanding of brain function and the mechanisms of synapse loss in neurodegenerative diseases, the project aims to develop a strategy for relieving the symptoms of these diseases.
- TUMORMETADYNAMIX, a project led by Catarina Homem, is based on the heterogeneity and resistance to treatment of glioblastoma, a type of brain tumor. The project aims to study metabolic heterogeneity in tumor growth, namely the role of the enzyme LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) and how it relates to the severity of the disease.
In addition to the projects being coordinated, NOVA Medical School is a partner in six other initiatives, on topics ranging from pain management in people with dementia, new therapeutic approaches for obesity, to the use of artificial intelligence in innovation and entrepreneurship in health.
"This result reflects the growing quality of our research, the ambition of our researchers and the strategic commitment of our medical school to areas with a high impact on health. These projects reflect NOVA Medical School's commitment to excellent science and to improving people's lives", says Helena Canhão, Dean of NOVA Medical School.
This performance reinforces NOVA Medical School's position as a benchmark research institution in Portugal and growth in 2023 represents a significant step forward in competitiveness.