MODEM
Projects
Pillar 1: Neuron-Glia
Pillar one focusses on the development of new cell models, such as producing 'mini-organs' (organoids) from patient' donor cells. With these cell models, we can study the interactions between neuronal and glial cells. Moreover, we can exacmine how cells change behaviour and in their functions on a molecular level. With this knowledge, we can test pharmacological interventions ons these human cell models, to give rise to development and optimalisation of medication and therapeutic targets.
Read more about Neuron-Glia here...
Pillar 2: PSYNA
In Pillar 2, we look at the synapse level and neuronal networks, especially how they get disrupted in the early stages of dementia. Alongside getting familiar with how they get disrupted and how to recover this, we will also study the influence of aging and environmental factors. These includes subjects such as early life stress, nutrition, neuroinflammation, and cognitive therapy. By doing so, we can find out how vulnerable, or resilient, synapses and neuronal networks are during these changes, and how we can optimize the recovery of disruptions.
Read more about PSYNA here...
Pillar 3: Brain Barriers
Pillar 3 focuses on understanding the disruption and recovery of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and the neurovascular unit. In this Pillar, we will work on (further) developing imaging techniques, such as MRI. Moreover, we will generate cell models of the BBB, where we can apply interventions that will work on differences in blood pressure in the BBB. Also, we will investigate which biomarkers are involved in cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), which is related to dementia.
Read more about Brain Barriers here...
Pillar 4: Cross-omics (COMICS)
In Pillar 4, we will focus on investigating the molecular data that we will collect and bundle from all the previous research in this consortium, on top of existing data sets. This will allow us to work with an enormous amount of data. By analyzing all this data, we can potentially discover new therapeutic targets, and help us identify new biomarkers for dementia.
Read more about COMICS here...
