Research

The main goal of the SmartAge project is to train 15 innovative, entrepreneurial and creative Early-Stage Researchers (ESRs) through our interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral research programme, which is based on our working hypothesis that cognitive functions in old age is strongly influenced by the Microbiota-Gut-Brain interplay.

Objectives:

The main objectives of SmartAge are:

Aim 1: Analysing gut-brain interactions at old age using specific hypotheses (inflammaging, intestinal permeability, and immune system), cutting edge research strategies and state-of-the-art technologies.

Aim 2: Identifying microbiome-based targets to develop new products in diagnostics and to establish new therapies to improve cognitive abilities in the elderly.

Aim 3: Enabling ESRs to design and conduct life style and nutritional interventional studies in this economically and socially important health sector.

Aim 4: Training a young generation of creative and entrepreneurial scientists for this new interdisciplinary research field (gut-brain communication in aging) with an exceptionally great demand for skilled professionals in academia as well as in industry.

Overview of the research programme: SmartAge will achieve its objectives through 5 complementary Research Work packages (WPs), and via individual WPs dedicated to Horizontal Activities: training (WP7), communication/dissemination/exploitation (WP6) and management (WP8).