The goal of Olive-Net project is to introduce a novel approach for the exploration, valorization and marketing of new products based on bioactive compounds from Olea europaea. This will be achieved through an extended and well-balanced scheme of researcher’s secondments between universities and enterprises from EU & Associated countries as well as universities from Third countries. A mutual scientific project developed on the needs and interests of both sectors exploiting the existing expertise will be the base of this proposal. Products and side-products of the olive tree such as olive oil, edible olive fruits, olive mill waste and olive tree leaves, will be subjected to a series of state-of-the-art extraction and isolation cascades in order to provide extracts, enriched fractions and isolated compounds of high purity. Target chemical categories will involve the well known olive oil polyphenols and secoiridoids, that will be assessed for their safety and pharmacological effects against inflammation, osteoarthritis, cardiovascular disease, etc. in cell-based and in vivo assays. All active ingredients will be identified and characterized with advanced analytical techniques, in order to be integrated in formulations and products in the area of nutraceuticals/dietary supplements. Within this project, core scientific multidisciplinary knowledge from different research areas will be integrated creating valuable synergies. Expertise will be transferred by means of the seconded researchers training in environments with different research orientation where complimentary skills are required. Special attention will be given to dissemination activities aiming to public awareness of benefits of healthy diet(s). Olive-Net aspires to create a successful model promoting considerably researchers’ competences and long-lasting collaboration between Industry and Academia.

Neurological disorders represent a significant portion of the global disease burden as well as a large cost to society. Most, if not all, neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are associated with a dysfunction of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which restricts diffusion of compounds and is critical for maintaining homeostasis and proper neuronal function. Understanding BBB functions and modulation in disease conditions is crucial, however, the BBB is a particularly challenging type to model, as it requires complex interactions from multiple cell types. Although animal models are being used, species differences along with ethical considerations impede high-throughput experimentation necessary to facilitate drug discovery. Frustrated attempts to accurately model the BBB have resulted in withdrawal of ‘Big Pharma’ from investing in BBB platforms. The solution to these problems is the development of a novel, physiologically relevant, predictive, in vitro model, integrated with continuous, non-invasive monitoring to allow accurate and dynamic assessment of the model under development. 3Bs is a radically different, technology-based approach to develop a 3D model of the BBB, employing techniques derived from tissue engineering, materials science and cell biology, to recreate the complex cellular interactions seen in vivo. The 3D model of the BBB is envisioned as a portable chip with in-line monitoring capabilities using cutting-edge organic electronic technology. The 3D model will be adaptable to laboratory situations in a first instance, using AD as a model system, but in future, amenable for the pharmaceutical industry for high throughput screening applications. This high risk but high yielding project will allow breakthroughs to be made in the study of all disorders of the central nervous system (CNS) and for therapeutic screening.