Objectives

Refine and share the present understanding of natural tissue environment with specific regard to 3D organisation and gradient of chemical and mechanical signals.

Replace the inefficient, unphysiological 2D in vitro models with “3D total guidance” models that more closely mimic the in vivo milieu.

Reduce the number of animals used to address similar questions with a particular emphasis on the concept of non-invasive investigations.

Develop and harmonise more physiological models and select the best culture system in order to mimic better what happens in vivo.

Determine and standardise the most adequate in vitro system according to the specific pathology and the scientific question or pharmacological management.

Create a database listing and implementing all existing models to avoid duplication of research in different European member states.

Capacity-building Objectives

The objectives described above were specifically designed to obtain consistent and measurable results to allow to achieve:

• Improvements in resources and technologies for generating refined in vitro models that more closely mimic the in vivo environment.

• Standardised and validated new 3D total guidance in vitro systems and ready to use culture kits.

• A database of existing models, to facilitate the choice of the most adequate in vitro system according to the specific pathology and the scientific question.

• An up-to-date bibliographic compilation of the relevant literature, an expert opinion to define needs and a dissemination platform for the stakeholders.

The data obtained will be relevant for the development of tools to communicate about translational research to health care professionals, to representatives from industry and to the public. They will lead to long-term relationships and collaborations between the partners of this Action to develop disease-specific networks implementing 3D total guidance in vitro models.