Barbara Demeneix’s team is very active with Europe-wide research projects.
CURRENT PROJECTS
ENDpoiNTs (2019-2023), an 18-partner project, aims to develop a testing battery of in vivo, in vitro and in silico models with human relevance for testing and screening chemicals for endocrine disrupting properties impacting on neurodevelopment. The project concept is based on two pilars : the test method development (establishment of correlative and causal links between the modulation of endocrine pathways and DNT endpoints) and the Human & regulatory relevance of the developed test methods (establishment of human relevance by linking experimental and epidemiological evidence and regulatory impact by continuous interaction with stakeholders).
ATHENA, Assays for the identification of Thyroid Hormone axis – disrupting chemicals : Elaborating Novel Assessment strategies (2019-2023), comprises world-leading endocrinologists, experts in endocrine disruption and experts in modelling brain function ex vivo who collectively will deliver a step change in thyroid disruptor testing. The project aims to develop new methods for incorporation into existing international (OECD) test guidelines. Partners will focus on tests that can capture the consequences of maternal thyroid hormone deficiency on the developing brain and will conceive strategies for the international harmonisation of screening, testing and hazard identification for thyroid hormone axis disrupting chemicals.
THYRAGE (2016-2020) investigates the effects of thyroid hormone on adult stem cell populations implicated in a wide range of age-related diseases, including osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, neurological disorders and sarcopenia. Knowledge generated in this project gathering experts from 5 European countries is needed to develop new strategies to prevent and treat these diseases in the elderly.
HBM4EU, the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (2017-2021), is a joint effort of 26 countries and the European Commission, co-funded by Horizon 2020. The main aim of the initiative is to coordinate and advance human biomonitoring in Europe. HBM4EU will thereby provide better evidence of the actual exposure of citizens to chemicals and the possible health effects to support policy making.
PREVIOUS PROJECTS
EDC-MixRisk (2015-2019) focuses on the effects of mixtures of endocrine disruptive chemicals (EDCs) on children by developing methods for risk assessment. This project involving 12 partners is designed to ultimately lead to a safer environment where the next generation can grow up without their quality of life being threatened by environmental chemicals or their mixtures.
HUMAN (2013-2018) aims to study the function of genetic risk variant associated with metabolic diseases by using mouse models with humanised liver and pancreas. With 17 partners – both academic institutions and SMEs – the consortium is uniquely situated to drive innovation towards a better knowledge of the genetic basis of major human metabolic diseases, thereby contributing to the understanding of healthier aging of European citizens.
DevCom (2013-2017) was a training consortium bringing together 8 partners with the aim of bridging the gaps between training, knowledge and skills in the disciplines of developmental and computational biology. The research plan revolves around early embryonic regulatory networks and disease networks in vertebrate embryos using the Xenopus and zebrafish model systems.
SWITCHBOX (2011-2015) was coordinated by Barbara Demeneix and brought together 6 European partners with the overall objective to exploit better knowledge of homeostatic mechanisms to facilitate maintenance of health from early life through to aging and develop conceptually new approaches for the prevention and treatment of age-related disorders.
NINA (2009-2013) was a Marie Curie Initial Training Network that trained 15 early career fellows, integrating research and training at 10 world class European institutes. The project focused its activities on the age-related changes that influence the interactions of the brain, immune and endocrine systems so as to develop a clearer understanding of how these changes in turn impact upon health.
> Final Report Summary
CRESCENDO (2005-2011) was a consortium of 22 laboratories (from 7 EU member states and 3 associated countries), 2 SMEs and 1 major Pharma stakeholder. This integrated consortium led by Barbara Demeneix used genomic and post-genomic approaches to study processes in development and aging that are mediated by nuclear receptors such as steroid, thyroid or orphan receptors.
Barbara Demeneix 