Heart transplantation is the gold standard treatment for advanced heart failure, a major cause of premature death. The critical organ shortage however limits this therapeutic approach with a ratio of two recipient candidates for one allograft nowadays. The allocation of a growing number of marginal grafts increases the risk of primary graft failure and early death after transplant. All the most, conventional static cold storage allows for only 4 hours of ischemia. This time limitation induces a geographic restriction between donor and recipient. Ex vivo heart perfusion (EVHP) has been applied to expand the duration of organ preservation. This method provides continuous perfusion of the donor heart using oxygenated blood at 34°C. However no clearance of deleterious molecules for the heart (e.g. pro-inflammatory cytokines, oxygen radicals) is provided by commercially available machines for EVHP. Prolonged EVHP is therefore limited to a maximum duration of 10 hours. There is therefore a need for a portable blood filter connected to EVHP platform. Since there is no commercially available approach to achieve our clinical need, we aim at developing an optimal blood filtration device to ensure the homeostasis of the perfusate during prolonged EVHP. Our study aims to apply microfluidic technology for blood filtration during EVHP. We trust this approach would rapidly increase the chance for heart transplantation: 1) By increasing the duration for organ preservation, we could remove geographic restrictions for organ allocation; 2) By applying cardiovascular imaging using contrast agents, we could diagnose coronary artery disease in cardiac allografts from high-risk donors (age>55 years, cardiovascular risk factors); 3) By improving the quality of organ preservation, we could apply pharmacological intervention for organ repair and rehabilitation of marginal grafts before transplantation.

Microplastic pollution represents an escalating global challenge, with profound implications for biodiversity, water ecosystems, and industries reliant on clean water. Traditional solutions for monitoring and remediation are costly, labour-intensive, and inefficient, creating a pressing need for innovative, scalable technologies. Eden Tech, a French deep-tech company, presents a groundbreaking approach integrating SCOUT, a rapid automated microplastic analysis system, and ASCANDRA, a versatile microplastic sampling and remediation solution. SCOUT addresses the critical need for microplastic monitoring by combining Near-Infrared spectroscopy with advanced AI. Delivering actionable insights on polymer types, particle sizes, and contamination levels within 10 minutes, SCOUT eliminates the need for complex, expensive laboratory methods, making microplastic analysis accessible and cost-effective. Its user-friendly, automated design empowers stakeholders across industries and regulatory bodies to detect and quantify microplastics with unprecedented speed and precision. ASCANDRA complements SCOUT by serving as a highly efficient microplastic sampling system for analysis or as a deployment-ready remediation solution where removal is necessary. Leveraging biomimetic microfluidic technology, ASCANDRA achieves unparalleled efficiency in isolating microplastics while operating at ultra-low energy consumption (20 Wh/m). Its modular, stackable design ensures adaptability across diverse applications, from stormwater systems to large-scale river catchments. Together, SCOUT and ASCANDRA offer an end-to-end solution for monitoring, analysis, and targeted remediation, directly addressing regulatory demands under newest 2024 European Drinking Water and Urban Wastewater directives. By addressing this critical gap, Eden Techs solutions empower industries and authorities to safeguard ecosystems, protect public health, and contribute to a cleaner, sustainable future.

UPSTREAM addresses the targets of the Mission by overcoming challenges related to the monitoring, prevention, elimination, and valorisation of litter (L), plastics (P), and microplastics (MP). Demonstrating a suite of 14 solutions addressing pollution at every step in the water system, connected to 7 rivers in 5 countries, will enable the co-creation of an extensive database of knowledge and sustainable business models with a focus on making information as widely accessible as possible. The involvement of wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) owners, industrial partners with existing supply chains, innovative SMEs, and a water cluster association will ensure exploitation of the project solutions, while €500k in cascade funding will enhance replication across Europe. The UPSTREAM consortium will thus establish circular value chains with the potential to decrease plastic litter by 50% and MP pollution by 30%. The advances in UPSTREAM are based on best-in-world innovations, including: • Standardised, rapid monitoring techniques able to detect MP down to sizes >25 μm • Bio-based, biodegradable plastics the stop the formation of MP in consumer products and WWTPs themselves • Elimination of more than 90% MP within WWTPs from both sludge and effluent streams • Innovative floating platforms capable of removing >83% of L, P, and MP directly from rivers at both the surface and riverbed, without creating noise pollution or harming ecosystems • Production of relevant monomers from recovered plastics through both advanced fractionation and depolymerisation and biotransformation UPSTREAM represents a pan-European consortium with 5 demo sites across Europe, including 4 WWTPs (UK, ES, DE, IT), plus a testing area on the Danube in Serbia. The consortium is strengthened by top European RTOs, the world leader in sustainable bioplastics development, Novamont, and completed by partners dedicated to creating a digital knowledge sharing platform and engaging with citizens and stakeholders.

MacGhyver produces green hydrogen from wastewater using innovation in high-volume microfluidics, non-CRM electrodes and electrochemical compression. The device performs advanced water treatment while producing hydrogen, resulting in clean water as a byproduct. The design consists of modular, stackable units, capable of small to large scale production volume. The novel components (microfluidic electrolyser, electrochemical compressor, separator) are combined with existing renewable energy sources, for maximum sustainability. Design and development are guided by life-cycle analysis of each system. Ultimately, the device enables the production of clean energy and clean water, a key enabling technology for decarbonization and the advent of the European Green Deal.

Currently there are no portable test or biosensors validated for air, soil or water quality control for pathogens, Chemicals of Emerging Concern (CECs) and Persistent Mobile Chemicals (PMCs), so such devices are much awaited by all stakeholders to ensure successful control and prevention of contamination and infections. Mobiles consortium will develop an interdisciplinary framework of expertise, and tools for monitoring, detection, and consequently mitigation of pollution from pathogens, CECs, PMCs, thus benefiting human and environmental health. Mobiles consortium will work to achieve the following objectives: Develop electronic biosensors for monitoring organic chemicals (pesticides, hormones) and antimicrobial resistance bacteria and pathogens in water, soil and air; Develop organism-based biosensor for detection of organic and inorganic pollution in water and soil; Study environmental performance of developed organisms and devices; Metagenomics analysis of organisms leaving in polluted areas in order to enable searches for diverse functionalities across multiple gene clusters Perform safety tests (e.g., EFSA) to assess the impact of developed organisms on the natural environment. Organism-based biosensor will consist on genetically modified chemiluminescent bacteria able to detect antibiotics, heavy metals, and pesticides in water; genetically modified plants that will change colour when in the soil is present arsenic; and marine diatoms that will be used to detect bioplastic degradation in marine and aquatic environments. Developed devices and organisms will be implemented by using flexible technologies, which can guarantee an easy adaptation to other biotic and abiotic pollutants. Devices and organisms, after proper validation and approval, could be used by consumers, inspection services and industry operators, as well as environmental emergency responders to monitor and detect PMCs, CECs and pathogens in water, air and soil