Dr. Fernández-Real from IDIBGI is granted with a MSCA-ITN to investigate the role of gut-brain-axis in aging and cognition

The project “Gut-Brain-axis: Targets for improvement of cognition in the elderly (SmartAge)”, in which Dr. Fernández-Real participates, has been approved by the European Commission. The project will start in September 2020 at IDIBGI and will be active for 4 years. SmartAge foresees to hire 2 predoctoral researchers with MSCA requirements at IDIBGI, who will work to study the role of microbiota-gut-brain axis in aging and its impact on cognition.

SmartAge aims to  identify the causative mechanisms of how the microbiota contributes to brain dysfunction while exploring the impact of pharmacological and nutritional interventions in the gut-brain-axis. Additionally, the project will develop a comprehensive training programme for early-stage researchers that includes academic and industry secondments. The project will be carried out by a consortium composed by 11 partners from 10 different countries.

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)-Innovative Training Networks (ITN), funded by the European Comission H2020 program, aim to train creative, entrepreneurial and innovative researchers, able to face current and future challenges and to convert knowledge and ideas into products and services for economic and social benefit. In parallel, these actions also intend to promote international, interdisciplinary and intersectoral mobility.

MSCA-ITN are granted to competitive programs implemented by partnerships of universities, research institutions or SMEs, among others.