Preterm Brain-Oxygenation and Metabolic EU-Sensing: Feed the Brain (PROMETEUS)

Funded by the European Commission, total: 3.721.656,25€ P.I. Josep Vehí.

Preterm Brain-Oxygenation and Metabolic EU- Sensing: Feed the Brain (2023 – 2027). Reference: 101099093. Funded by the European Commission, total: 3.721.656,25€ P.I. Josep Vehí. Other participants: Universita degli studio di Padova,Qulab Medical Ltd, Politecnico de Milano, Pionirs SRL, University Collage of London, Fundacio Institut de Ciencies fotoniques, Dace Srl, Universite Grenoble Alpes, Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale and University College Cork.

SUMMARY:

Preterm Brain-Oxygenation and Metabolic EU-Sensing: Feed the Brain (Prometeus), introduces a new-paradigm for personalized nutrition of prematurely born neonates in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), by developing a groundbreaking technology for real-time adjustment of glucose and nutrients intakes to target neonatal brain needs. The brain of a baby born prematurely is highly susceptible to early neonatal injuries that, in turn, increase the risk for neurodevelopmental disability. Provision of adequate nutrients and oxygen is essential for proper brain development and growth.
However, current nutritional strategies are unfit to target real-time brain necessities, and are driven by pre-specified (non personalised) nutritional charts, in the absence of contemporary cot-side monitoring of both brain “health” and metabolic supplies. As a consequence, sudden changes of brain fuel-requirements cannot be promptly addressed by real-time adjustment of glucose and nutrients provision. Prometeus will develop a metabolic model of the interaction between the three key brain fuels [glucose, lactate and beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB)] and their effect on regional cerebral blood flow (CBF), oxygen saturation (StO2) and metabolism (CMRO2). The model will serve to individualize brain nutrition targeting “brain health” according to the inputs derived from two novel minimally invasive metabolic sensing systems: a wearable cap measuring regional CBF, StO2 and CMRO2 and a subcutaneous miniaturized metabolic sensor for glucose, lactate and BHB. The system will create a metabolic “womb” to feed the brain of preterm neonates. Prometeus will be paralleled by a parent-dedicated interface, exploiting a purposely developed family adjusted visual language, that will inform parents of preterm babies during their NICU admission and stay. Prometeus will dramatically reduce the risk for prematurity-associated disability in Europe and worldwide, with a consequent incalculable ethical, social and economic impact.

You can find all the information regarding the project on the official website, just by following this link:  Prometeus – Preterm Brain-Oxygenation and Metabolic Eu-Sensing (prometeus-eic.eu)

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation program under grant agreement No101099093

TEAM:

MICELAB:

Research leads:

  • Josep Vehí Casellas
 Research Team:

  • Ningsu Luo Ren
  • Iván Contreras Fernández-Dávila
  • Aleix Beneyto Tantiña
  • Omer Mujahid
  • Oriol Bustos Martínez
  • Sina Akbari
  • Nil Basora Reixach

POLITECNICO DI MILANO:

Research leads:

  • Alessandro Torricelli
 Research Team:

  • Davide Contini
  • Rebecca Re
  • Caterina Amendola

PIONIRS SRL:

  • Michele Lacerenza

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON:

Research leads:

  • Robert Cooper
 Research Team:

  • Hubin Zhao

FUNDACIÓ INSTITUT DE CIÈNCIES FOTÒNIQUES:

Research leads:

  • Turgut Durduran
 Research Team:

  • Manish Verma
  • Lisa Kobayashi-Frisk

DAVE SRL:

  • Stefano Dalpoz

GRENOBLE INSTITUTE NEUROSCIENCES:

Research leads:

  • Emmanuel Barbier
 Research Team:

  • Thomas Christen
  • Florence Fauvelle
  • Jan Warnking
  • Claire Rome

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK – NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND, CORK:

Research leads:

  • Eugene Dempsey
 Research Team:

  • Frederic Adam

UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI PADOVA:

Research leads:

  • Sabrina Brigadoi
 Research Team:

  • Chiara Dalla Man
  • Daniele Trevisanuto
  • Paola Rigo
  • Claudio Cobelli
  • Luca Bonadies
  • Alfonso Galderisi

QULAB MEDICAL LTD:

Research leads:

  • Sharon Lefler

RESEARCH OUTCOMES:

  • Two novel minimally invasive metabolic sensing systems: a wearable cap measuring regional CBF, StO2 and CMRO2, and a subcutaneous miniaturized metabolic sensor for glucose, lactate and BHB.
  • A Metabolic Model and neonatal in silico avatar.
  • A Nutritional Clinical Advisor based on personalized and adaptive control for tailored nutritional recommendations.
  • A parent-dedicated interface to inform and involve parents during NICU admission and stay.
keyboard_arrow_up