Each CMT-DN project will be guided by: a primary supervisor (host institution) + interdisciplinary co-supervisor(s) + intersectoral secondment co-supervisor(s) (partner institutions).
CMT-DN includes mandatory industry secondments for all DCs and project-specific virtual interactions with all consortium members
DC1Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for cerebrovascular diseases
Host institution: University of Galway (GAL) 
PhD enrolment: University of Galway (GAL)
Project objectives:
O1: To synthesize a MOFs using optimal conditions (molar ratio of the reactants, solvents, metal sources, and temperature) for tunable porosity;
O2: To identify and characterise the optimal conditions for the MOF activation, entrapment and release of the baseline therapeutic, followed by the intended therapeutic (i.e., vasodilator, neuroprotector);
O3: To investigate the effect of the TM1 empty versus therapeutic MOFs (e.g., toxicity, neuronal response, impact on vascularisation) in the VRAINORG 1 platform.
Secondment: Microfluidic Innovation Centre (MIC) 
Primary supervisor: Dr Constantina Papatriantafyllopoulou (University of Galway – GAL)
Co-supervisors: Prof. Nico Bruns (Technische Universitat Darmstadt – TuDA), Dr. Lisa Muiznieks (Microfluidic Innovation Centre – MIC)
DC2Mechanosensitive gated polymersomes
Host institution: University of Galway (GAL)
PhD enrolment: University of Galway (GAL)
Project objectives:
O1: To express and purify engineered mechanosensitive ion channels with facilitated valve opening control;
O2: To identify the optimal conditions for the fabrication of mechano-gated polymersomes (via self-assembly of amphiphilic block-copolymers) containing the incorporated engineered mechanosensitive valves and the encapsulation and controlled release of the baseline therapeutic, followed by the intended therapeutic;
O3: To investigate the effect of the TM2 empty versus therapeutic mechanosensitive gated polymersomes in the VRAINORG 1 platform.
Secondment: Microfluidic Innovation Centre (MIC)
Primary supervisor: Dr. Mihai Lomora (University of Galway – GAL)
Co-supervisors: Dr. Siobhan Crilly (University of Galway – GAL), Dr. Annalisa Tirella (University of Trento – UNITN), Dr. Lisa Muiznieks (Microfluidic Innovation Centre – MIC)
DC3Phytoplankton-based micromotors as carriers for cerebrovascular drugs
Host institution: University of Galway (GAL)
PhD enrolment: University of Galway (GAL)
Project objectives:
O1: To culture phytoplankton and isolated carrier scaffolds;
O2:To functionalise the surface of phytoplankton scaffolds with micromotor-activating agent, baseline therapeutic, followed by the intended therapeutic (i.e., vasodilator, neuroprotector);
O3: To investigate the effect of TM3 phytoplankton micromotor with CVP drugs on the designated VRAINORG 3 platform.
Secondment: React4Life (R4L) 
Primary supervisor: Dr. Mihai Lomora (University of Galway – GAL)
Co-supervisors: Dr. Siobhan Crilly (University of Galway – GAL), Dr. Silvia Scaglione (React4Life – R4L)
DC4Layer-by-layer (LbL) capsules release on demand cerebro-protective drugs
Host institution: Basque Center for Macromolecular Design and Engineering (POLYMAT) 
PhD enrolment: The University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) 
Project objectives:
O1: To identify the optimal conditions for the fabrication of LbL capsules based on polyelectrolytes containing baseline therapeutic, followed by the intended therapeutic;
O2:To perform physico-chemical, biocompatibility and release studies to fully characterize the LbL capsules as delivery vehicles for therapeutic agents (i.e., vasodilator, neuroprotector);
O3: To investigate the effect of TM4 polymeric empty versus therapeutic LbL capsules on the designated VRAINORG 1 platform.
Secondment: Microfluidics Innovation Center (MIC)
Primary supervisor: Prof. Aitor Larrañaga (Basque Center for Macromolecular Design and Engineering – POLYMAT, The University of the Basque Country – UPV/EHU);
Co-supervisor: Dr. Maria Valentina Dinu (Petru Poni Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry – ICMPP)
DC5Tailored responsive nanogels for cerebro-vascular diseases
Host institution: Basque Center for Macromolecular Design and Engineering (POLYMAT)
PhD enrolment: The University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU)
Project objectives:
O1: To design and fabricate crosslinked nanogels that enable the entrapment and release of cerebro-protective drugs upon triggering conditions;
O2: To characterize the drug protective nature, the entrapment and release of nanogels as delivery nanocarriers containing baseline therapeutic, followed by the intended therapeutic;
O3: To investigate the effect of TM5 polymeric nanogels on the designated VRAINORG 1 platform.
Secondment: Microfluidics Innovation Center (MIC)
Primary supervisors: Prof. Marcelo Calderón, Dr. Ana Beloqui (Basque Center for Macromolecular Design and Engineering – POLYMAT)
Co-supervisors: Dr. Mihai Lomora (University of Galway – GAL), Dr. Lisa Muiznieks (Microfluidics Innovation Center – MIC)
DC6Injectable nano/micro hydrogels for the delivery of brain-therapeutics
Host institution: University of Trento (UNITN) 
PhD enrolment: University of Trento (UNITN)
Project objectives:
O1: To design and fabricate nano/micro hydrogels that enable the capture and release of brain-therapeutics upon triggering conditions;
O2: To characterize the hydrogels as delivery nano/micro-carriers for baseline therapeutic, followed by the intended therapeutic (i.e., vasodilator, neuroprotector);
O3: To investigate the effect of TM6 injectable nano/micro hydrogels (e.g., toxicity, neuronal response, impact on vascularisation) on the designated VRAINORG 5 platform.
Secondment: ibidi 
Primary supervisors: Dr. Annalisa Tirella, Dr. Luca Tiberi (University of Trento – UNITN)
Co-supervisors: Dr. Siobhan Crilly, Dr. Mihai Lomora (University of Galway – GAL), Dr. Zeno Guttenberg (ibidi)
DC7Biopolymer-based nano-/microgels (NMGs) for brain treatment
Host institution: Petru Poni Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry (ICMPP) 
PhD enrolment: Petru Poni Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry (ICMPP)
Project objectives:
O1: To fabricate a biopolymer-based NMG for the incorporation of a brain-related therapeutic;
O2: To perform physico-chemical and biocompatibility characterisation of NMG therapeutics for baseline therapeutic, followed by the intended therapeutic;
O3: To assess the performance of the TM7 brain-related NMG-therapeutic in the VRAINORG 1 model.
Secondment: Microfluidic Innovation Centre (MIC)
Primary supervisor: Dr. Maria Valentina Dinu (Petru Poni Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry – ICMPP)
Co-supervisors: Dr. Mihai Lomora (University of Galway – GAL), Dr. Lisa Muiznieks (Microfluidics Innovation Center – MIC)
DC8Shear-stressed enabled polymer-based nanoreactors
Host institution: Technical University of Darmstadt (TUDa) 
PhD enrolment: Technical University of Darmstadt (TUDa)
Project objectives:
O1: To synthesise and functionalise block copolymers for added intrinsic mechanical properties;
O2: To design a shear-activated nanoreactor capable of local synthesis of baseline therapeutic, followed by the intended therapeutic (i.e., vasodilator, neuroprotector);
O3: To investigate the effect of TM8 nanoreactor on the designated VRAINORG 2 platform.
Secondment: MIMETAS (MIM) 
Primary supervisor: Prof. Nico Bruns (Technical University of Darmstadt – TUDa)
Co-supervisors: Dr. Aitor Larrañaga (Basque Center for Macromolecular Design and Engineering – POLYMAT), Dr. Xandors Spijkers (MIMETAS – MIM)
DC9Microfluidic system compatible with brain organoid developments
Host institution: Microfluidics Innovation Center (MIC)
PhD enrolment: University of Galway (GAL)
Project objectives:
O1: Design and construct a platform for vascularised brain cell perfusion, considering the properties of brain cells (requirement of low shear stress, oxygen levels and pH of culture medium);
O2: Include sensors for oxygen and pH measurements for real-time monitoring of culture conditions;
O3: Test and validate system with cell culture / pre-developed brain organoids;
O4: Use VRAINORG 1 to test TM1 & assess potential new findings from other workpackages.
Secondment: University of Galway (GAL)
Primary supervisor: Dr. Lisa Muiznieks (Microfluidics Innovation Center – GAL)
Co-supervisors: Dr. Aitor Larrañaga (Basque Center for Macromolecular Design and Engineering – POLYMAT), Dr. Mihai Lomora (University of Galway – GAL)
DC10Vascularised brain-on-chip screen using OrganoPlate®
Host institution: MIMETAS (MIM)
PhD enrolment: Amsterdam University Medical Center (VUmc) 
Project objectives:
O1: Develop and characterize 3D neurovascular unit on-a-chip models comprising brain microvascular endothelial cells, astrocytes, neurons, and immune cells in the OrganoPlate®;
O2: Model cerebrovascular pathologies, e.g. modelling ischemic stroke using oxygen/glucose deprivation techniques or modelling neuroinflammation using cytokines;
O3: Develop and validate assays to assess effects of cerebrovascular pathologies in the neurovascular unit on-a-chip model (immunostaining, PCR, ATP production, production of reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial assays, immune cell adhesion/migration);
O4: Use VRAINORG 2 to test TM2 & assess potential new findings from other workpackages.
Secondment: VUmc, GAL
Primary supervisor: Dr. Xandor Spijkers (MIMETAS – MIM)
Co-supervisors: Prof. Nico Bruns (Technical University of Darmstadt – TUDa), Prof. Helga de Vries (Amsterdam University Medical Center – VUmc), Dr. Mihai Lomora (University of Galway – GAL)
DC11Vascularised brain-on-chip screen using MIVO®
Host institution: React4Life (R4L)
PhD enrolment: University of Milano-Bicocca (UNIMIB) 
Project objectives:
O1: Develop and characterize 3D neurovascular unit on-a-chip models comprising brain microvascular endothelial cells, astrocytes, neurons, and circulating immune cells in the MIVO® OOC;
O2: Model neuroinflammation using cytokines and immune cells infiltration and interplay;
O3: Develop and validate assays to assess effects of cerebrovascular pathologies in the neurovascular unit on-a-chip model (immunostaining, PCR, ATP production, production of reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial assays, immune cell adhesion/migration);
O4: Use VRAINORG 3 to test TM1 & assess potential new findings from other workpackages.
Secondment: University of Galway (GAL), University of Milano-Bicocca (UNIMIB)
Primary supervisor: Dr. Silvia Scaglione (React4Life – R4L)
Co-supervisors: Dr. Maria Valentina Dinu (Petru Poni Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry – ICMPP), Dr. Mihai Lomora (University of Galway – GAL), Prof. Laura Cipolla (University of Milano-Bicocca – UNIMIB)
DC12Vascularised brain-on-chip screen using in-house 3D brain models
Host institution: University of Trento (UNITN)
PhD enrolment: University of Trento (UNITN)
Project objectives:
O1: Develop and characterize in-house 3D brain models with vasculature;
O2: Model neuroinflammation using cytokines and immune cells infiltration and interplay;
O3: Develop and validate assays to assess effects of cerebrovascular pathologies in the 3D vascularised brain models (immunostaining, PCR, ATP production, production of reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial assays, immune cell adhesion/migration);
O4: Use VRAINORG 4 to test TM1 & assess potential new findings from other workpackages.
Secondment: ibdi, University of Galway (GAL)
Primary supervisors: Dr. Luca Tiberi, Dr. Annalisa Tirella (University of Trento – UNITN)
Co-supervisors: Dr. Siobhan Crilly, Dr. Mihai Lomora (University of Galway – GAL), Dr. Zeno Guttenberg (ibidi)
DC13Vascularised brain-on-chip screen using ibidi® chip platform technology
Host institution: ibidi
PhD enrolment: Technical University of Darmstadt (TUDa)
Project objectives:
O1: Develop and characterize a brain-on-chip 3D model with vasculature using the ibidi® chip platform technology;
O2: Model neuroinflammation using cytokines and immune cells infiltration and interplay;
O3: Develop and validate assays to assess effects of cerebrovascular pathologies ibidi® chip developed platform (immunostaining, PCR, ATP production, production of reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial assays, immune cell adhesion/migration);
O4: Use VRAINORG 5 to test TM3 and assess potential new findings from other workpackages.
Secondment: University of Galway (GAL)
Primary supervisor: Dr. Zeno Guttenberg (ibidi)
Co-supervisors: Dr. Annalisa Tirella (University of Trento – UNITN), Dr. Mihai Lomora & Dr. Siobhan Crilly (University of Galway – GAL)
DC143D Brain-on-a-chip screen using in-house 3D brain models
Host institution: University of Galway (GAL)
PhD enrolment: University of Galway (GAL)
Project objectives:
O1: Develop and characterize 3D neurovascular unit on-a-chip models comprising brain microvascular endothelial cells, astrocytes, neurons, and circulating immune cells in the custom ibidi® chip;
O2: Model neuroinflammation using cytokines and immune cells infiltration and interplay;
O3: Develop and validate assays to assess effects of cerebrovascular pathologies in the neurovascular unit on-a-chip model (immunostaining, PCR, ATP production, production of reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial assays, immune cell adhesion/migration);
O4: Use VRAINORG 6 to test TM1 & assess potential new findings from other workpackages.
Secondment: ibidi, University of Galway (GAL)
Primary supervisor: Dr. Mihai Lomora (University of Galway – GAL)
Co-supervisors: Dr. Luca Tiberi (University of Trento – UNITN), Dr. Zeno Guttenberg (ibidi), Dr. Constantina Papatriantafyllopoulou (University of Galway – GAL)
