twiN-on-a-chip brAins for monitoring individual sleeP habits

Introduction

Insufficient sleep is an under-reported epidemic, and sleep disturbances are common early signs of neurodegeneration. Clinical research is currently challenging the assumption that human sleep is a one-fits-all phenomenon: breaking new grounds into sleep research is needed.

Project Overview

NAP makes real the study of individual sleep pathophysiology through a new science-to-technology paradigm merging in vitro modelling, allometric scaling, signal processing, and micromanufacturing.

Targeted Breakthroughs

NAP targets five breakthroughs:

1. The development of the first model enabling the accurate study of individual sleep.
2. The realization of the cyborganoid, i.e., the next generation of biohybrid model of the human brain.
3. The setup of an experimental procedure to mimic sleep in vitro, accounting for a person's lifestyle, metabolism, and genetic makeup.
4. The exploitation of allometry to obtain meaningful information from in vitro to humans.
5. The delivery of the first tool for Parkinson's Disease (PD) early diagnosis.

Proof of Principle

As a Proof of Principle, NAP will identify the effects of sleep deprivation and detect sleep-related signs of PD from a personalized perspective.

Long-term Vision

In the long term, NAP will move Europe to lead sleep research and innovation through its envisioned technology: a predictive medicine twin-on-a-chip allowing the public at large to be routinely screened for:

• Checking their sleep health.
• Being warned about the consequences of sleep loss.
• Predating PD and other neuropathies characterized by sleep anomalies.

This will be of benefit for science, society, and the economy.

Expected Outcomes

NAP Proof of Principle will deliver the first tool for accurately extrapolating biological parameters from in vitro to humans. The identification of individual sleep needs will allow the targeted detection of people suffering from sleep disorders, scaling back healthcare costs.

Sleep-related neurodegeneration biomarkers will have tremendous implications in pharmacological research and enterprise and in the healthcare sector.