NIMSBs is pleased to announce that Cláudia Nunes dos Santos, Principal Investigator at NIMSBs, has been awarded an ERC Proof of Concept (PoC) Grant for the project ReMAP-PD – A Novel 3Rs Microphysiological Alternative Platform for Parkinson’s Disease.
ReMAP-PD aims to develop a new “brain-on-a-chip” system that uses human cells to recreate important aspects of Parkinson’s disease (PD) in the lab. This approach provides a more realistic, ethical, and affordable way to study the disease and test potential treatments, without relying on animal experiments.
As the number of people living with PD continues to grow, researchers face a major challenge: results from animal studies often do not translate well to humans. ReMAP-PD addresses this gap by creating a human-based testing platform that more closely reflects how the disease actually progress in patients.
By testing the system with drugs that are already well understood, the project aims to demonstrate that the technology is reliable and scientifically robust. In doing so, ReMAP-PD seeks to gain support from regulators in the EU and interest from industry partners, helping to accelerate the development of safer, more effective treatments for PD—while also reducing the need for animal testing.
By bringing together a multidisciplinary team that bridges fundamental research, clinical expertise, and innovation, the project is grounded in diverse perspectives essential for tackling a complex disease like PD. Biochemical researchers Cláudia Nunes dos Santos and Inês Figueira will contribute with deep expertise in molecular mechanisms and advanced cellular modelling, while the neurologist Marcelo Mendonça (MD), Vice‑Director of the Digital Neurotherapeutics Centre at the Champalimaud Foundation, will ensure strong clinical alignment and real‑world relevance. In turn, Miguel Santos, NIMSB’s ITTO Director, adds crucial expertise in innovation management thus reinforcing the project’s translational and technological ambition.
This collaborative effort directly reflects NIMSB’s strategic priority of developing innovative human-based disease models that can accelerate therapeutic discovery while promoting ethical, responsible, and precision-driven research. By advancing novel microphysiological systems such as ReMAP‑PD, NIMSB continues to position itself at the forefront of next‑generation biomedical science—delivering tools that more accurately mimic human physiology and contribute to better, safer treatments.