University of Oulu receives € 820,000 for brain research as a joint project between medicine, technology, and biology
The concrete goal of the project is to develop new research methods and solutions that will enable the phenomena observed in patients to be studied in artificial structures in the future. This approach supports clinical research and reduces the use of laboratory animals, which is a significant step forward both ethically and scientifically.
In the field of technology, the project focuses on 3D printing of plastics, porous structures, and biomimetics—that is, the use of nature-inspired structures in technical applications.
"Multidisciplinary collaboration has a long tradition at the University of Oulu. The project seeks to achieve the best possible synergy from collaboration between three scientific disciplines, which is both challenging and exciting. In this project, the FMT group's task is to bring a technical perspective to the formulation of the problem and to offer the group's expertise in the design and implementation of the solution," says Development Manager Kari Mäntyjärvi from the Future Manufacturing Technologies (FMT) group at the University of Oulu.
In medicine, the project aims to develop a research infrastructure for brain pulsations that supports the development of treatment methods for memory disorders. 3D printing is used in the production of tissue models, and the prints are used in the interpretation of ultra-fast imaging results. In biology, the project focuses on the study of extracellular vesicles (EVs). EVs are central to intercellular communication, and their progression is being studied in particular in the glymphatic drainage system of the brain. The University of Oulu has strong expertise in this area of research.
"Understanding brain pulsations is crucial, as they control the brain's own cleansing system. In this project, we are building artificial structures in which we can emulate these pulsations. This allows us to study the phenomena in a controlled manner and calibrate the systems needed to understand the mechanisms of brain diseases and develop new forms of treatment," says Professor Vesa Kiviniemi from the OFNI research group at the University of Oulu.
The project also aims to support the commercial application of research results, which opens up opportunities for new business and strengthens regional vitality.
The Phantom Menace project represents a new approach in which multidisciplinarity acts as a driver of innovation. By combining top expertise from different fields, the aim is to create solutions that serve both research and practical applications. The project, with a budget of €820,000, will be implemented between April 1, 2025, and March 31, 2028, and is funded by the European Union's Regional and Structural Policy program, Innovation and Skills in Finland 2021–2027. The funding has been granted by the Regional Council of Oulu.
More information:
Kari Mäntyjärvi, FMT Research group
kari.mantyjarvi(at)oulu.fi
Vesa Kiviniemi, OFNI Research group
vesa.kiviniemi(at)oulu.fi
Image: Zalan Rajnan, OFNI Research Group, University of Oulu