NEWSLETTER #1
Bioenergetic Remodeling in the Pathophysiology and Treatment of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Project ID: 722619. Funded under: H2020-MSCA-ITN-2016 -722619-FOIE GRAS
Message from the Project Coordinator
Paulo J. Oliveira
Dear reader,
It is my pleasure to introduce you to this newsletter from the FOIE GRAS project. The FOIE GRAS project brings together experts from a range of disciplines in liver diseases and metabolism from academic and non-academic partners (biotechnological companies and patient association).
FOIE GRAS aims to investigate how internal and external mediators underlying metabolic dysfunction, including hepatic bioenergetic remodeling and modified gut-liver crosstalk, influence NAFLD progression, to ascertain novel biomarkers and therapeutic /lifestyle targets and to develop and implement science in society initiatives addressing NAFLD awareness.
FOIE GRAS- Innovative Training Network (ITN), expects to train a new generation of researchers and science communicators, with a novel attitude and understanding of the requests of academia, clinical practice, technological companies, and the societal challenges. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the newest members of FOIE GRAS, the 13 Early-Stage Researchers (ESRs) who have recently joined the project.
This publication is designed to fulfill one of the purposes of this project, namely to create a constant flow of communication between all the stakeholders involved, constructing as a result, a truly holistic approach on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) management.
Enjoy reading and stay tuned!
- Paulo J. Oliveira
Project News
FOIE GRAS Kick-off meeting
FOIE GRAS Partners met for the first time at the Kick Off Meeting on 16-17 January 2017 at the University of Coimbra, Portugal. The project consortium met over two days in order to ensure a quick start of all project activities. The project is coordinated by CNC, University of Coimbra and consortium consist of Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas CSIC-CCHS (Spain), National Research Council (Italy), Universidade do Porto (Portugal), FFUL (Portugal), IPHYS (Czech Republic), Helmholtz Zentrum München (Germany), INSERM (France), NENCKI (Poland), MEDIAGNOST GMBH (Germany), MICROBIOLYTICS GMBH (Germany), APDP Diabetes (Portugal), Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro (Italy), CNC-University of Coimbra (Portugal).
RTP Notícias
On February 2 2017 Dr. Paulo Oliveira, FOIE GRAS project coordinator, gave an interview for RTP Notícias.
Mentes Que Brilham
Dr. Paulo Oliveira at Program Mentes Que Brilham - Porto Canal 29.04.2017
Scientific Meetings
51st Annual Scientific Meeting of the European Society for Clinical Investigation in Genoa, Italy
Researchers from the FOIE GRAS project were part of the organization and gave talks at the 51st Annual Scientific Meeting of the European Society for Clinical Investigation that took place in Genoa, Italy on May 17-19 2017. During the meeting were organized high quality workshops on phagocyte biology, mitochondrial biology, rheumatology, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic diseases/lifestyle and nephrology.
NAFLD Summit
Dr. Cecilia Rodrigues, Project FOIE GRAS researcher will participate at First EASL NAFLD Summit: “Target-oriented approach to diagnosis and pharmacotherapy of NASH: A dialogue between academia and industry”, which will be held in Rome, Italy from 09-11 November 2017. Her talk will be on the use of “miRNAs as biomarkers and targets” for treating NAFLD. Also some of our ESR (Bárbara Patrício, Sara Guerra, Raquel Baccetto and Emilio Molina Molina) had fantastic opportunity to participate at the event and hear the lectures from the eminent speakers in the field.
Network School
ESRs Kick-off meeting and First Network School Cantanhede, Portugal (September 2017)
The FOIE GRAS ESRs Kick-off meeting and the First Summer School named “Tools and rationale for measuring mitochondrial function in intact cells and isolated mitochondria” was held at UC Biocant, Cantanhede, Portugal from 18-22 September 2017.
The aim of this Summer School was to introduce FOIE GRAS ESRs and other participants to the recent advances in measurements of mitochondrial function and dysfunction. Many interesting lectures were presented from eminent scientists in the field. Also, ESRs had a great opportunity to have a hands-on experience during the practical part of the course given by Luxcel Biosciences and Agilent.
Public Engagement
Museu da Ciência da Universidade de Coimbra
The FOIE GRAS coordinator, Dr.Paulo Oliveira, participated in the “Chá das 3" event at Museu da Ciência da Universidade de Coimbra, on Saturday, 14th January 2017.
He talked to the public about issues related to fatty liver metabolism and disease and their relationship with obesity and unhealthy lifestyles. The topic of discussion was “Is Fat Bad for Your Health?
Also as a part of the Science in a family event organized by CNC UC and Science Museum of the University of Coimbra, he explained to the young participants what cells and mitochondria are.
European Researchers Night (ERN)
On 29 September 2017 Project FOIE GRAS was presented at the “European Researchers’ Night (ERN)” in several locations throughout Europe: Science Museum of the University of Coimbra (Portugal); FFUL, Lisbon (Portugal); CNR (Italy), NENCKI (Poland) etc.
The general public in all institution had a great opportunity to learn more about the NAFL disease and Project FOIE GRAS via very interesting interactive games, demonstrations and public engagement.
At CNC Açucarómetro/Gordurómetro (SUGARmeter/FATmeter) game was developed focusing on nutrition and its role on NAFLD. In this game participants have to classify food items in two different boards, one for sugars or carbohydrates, and the other one for fats. The goal was to place all food items correctly and if successful, the participant will manage to eliminate all the fat of our liver, which in this case is represented by color magnets placed in a cork liver.
FOIE GRAS project at III Science Fair – Oliveira do Bairro, Portugal
Project FOIE GRAS was presented at the III Science Fair at Oliveira do Bairro on 4 October 2017. This science communication event has a major goal of promoting science and technology between the local community. Our FOIE GRAS ESRs Adriana Filipa Fontes and Mireia Alemany Pagès implemented hands on interactive game and activity among primary and secondary school students explaining the seriousness of NAFLD disease and importance of implementation of healthy food habits in daily life.
Publications
Bile Acids and Cancer: Direct and Environmental-Dependent Effects
Di Ciaula A, Wang DQ, Molina-Molina E, Lunardi Baccetto R, Calamita G, Palmieri VO, Portincasa P.
Bile Acids and Cancer: Direct and Environmental-Dependent Effects. Ann Hepatol. 2017 Nov;16 Suppl 1:S87-S105.
Bile Acid Physiology
Di Ciaula A, Garruti G, Lunardi Baccetto R, Molina-Molina E, Bonfrate L, Wang DQ, Portincasa P. Bile Acid Physiology. Ann Hepatol. 2017 Nov;16 Suppl 1:S4-S14.
Contacts
Dr. Paulo Oliveira
CNC University of Coimbra
Tel: +351 231 249 195
Dr. Liljana Georgievska
CNC University of Coimbra
Tel: +351 231 249 170
Partners
The FOIE GRAS project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Grant Agreement No. 722619.
This newsletter reflects only the author’s view and the Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains.