The FREIA consortium aims to close gaps in scientific knowledge on the mechanisms by which EDCs can affect female reproduction during specific life stages and will provide test methods to address this. The FREIA consortium has human tissue models that span the entire life cycle from fetal ovarian and adrenal tissues to child and mature ovarian follicles, that will be used identify human relevant biomarkers of EDC exposure. We will measure chemical exposures in follicular fluids and molecular profiles in granulosa cells from two IVF cohorts, and link these to fertility outcomes and patient journal information, including life-style factors and workplace. We will perform in vivo rodent studies to capture susceptible windows of exposure and identify novel endpoints for female reproductive toxicity that may be implemented in OECD test guidelines. We will provide in vitro test methods, according to OECD guidelines, for molecular and cellular events that have been implicated in female reproductive toxicity. These include ER-beta activity, GPER activity, ovarian-specific steroidogenesis, oocyte maturation and competency and hypothalamic pulsatile GnRH secretion. We will also develop QSAR models to predict interaction with aromatase and PPAR-gamma. By integrating our data from in vitro studies with primary human tissues, human exposure data from fetal and follicular fluid samples and our in vitro and in vivo research findings, the outcomes of FREIA are directly applicable to the human situation. AOPs will be developed that will form the basis for a test strategy to assess female reproductive toxicity upon exposure to EDCs, in a regulatory context. Furthermore, by expanding our scientific knowledge, the FREIA project will provide better information on EDC-related female reproductive health effects that will be used to improve reproductive health for women around the world.

The CHIASMA’s Central Objective is to develop a new and improved Safety and Sustainable by Design Assessment framework based on innovative, in-project validated in vitro and in silico methods New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) and data for the next generation of hazard- & risk assessment of chemicals and materials. The developed NAMs cover main human target organs and exposure routes. The CHIASMA Assessment Framework will be based on an iterative multi-step approach based on Next Genaration Safety Assessment (NGSA) that combines chemocentric and biocentric approaches and NAMs and it will be able to predict regulatory relevant endpoints and long-term safety, together with absolute Life Cycle Impact Analysis (LCIA). Developed methods will be demonstrated for scienfic soundness and performances and for transferability (including to industrial environment), prior to submission to regulatory bodies. Demonstration of the SSbD Framework in at least three chemicals/materials groups (PFAS, 2D materials for energy applications and (nano-)pesticides), supported by the assessment of socio-economic aspects and gap analyses in the context of existing methods. Integration of the new & improved methods for expressing safety and health parameter into existing life-cycle and sustainability assessments methodologies and tools, as well as into the relevant applicable regulatory frameworks (incl. the SSbD framework). Provision of accessible data for industry and public authorities, in order to ultimately support the wider implementation of the SSbD framework and its criteria. The CHIASMA Project will run for 48 months. It is organised interdependent workflows, which will be broken down into 9 workpackages aligned with the scientific plan in order provide an optimum project-conduct and achievement of Project objectives.

Humans have been exploring the world from the depths of the oceans to the edges of the universe. Yet many environments remain inaccessible, even to modern cutting-edge technology. Therefore problems like exploring the status of waste water under the Fukushima reactor, or discover suitable sites for underground CO2 storage remain unsolved. Our aim is to investigate a new line of technology that will enable the exploration of difficult-to-access environments exploiting a risky, highly-novel approach called PHOENIX. PHOENIX will accomplish the exploration of inaccessible environments with physical agents that are extremely limited in size and resources, and can operate without direct control over software and hardware. PHOENIX starts with processing a user question, then assesses available knowledge and initiates an evolutionary process involving two nested generational loops. In the outer loop PHOENIX develops, deploys and retrieves physical agents capable of penetrating the inaccessible environment and gathering information. Based on this knowledge, a model of the unknown environment is developed and evaluated. This model is refined in the inner loop, where environmental models and abstract representations of the physical agents (virtual agents) co-evolve in a virtual world until an improved generation of physical agents is ready for deployment. The goal of this co-evolution is to maximize the information captured about the unknown environment by progressively optimized agents. Our main objectives are: the development of a co-evolutionary framework, the design of versatile agent technology and the development of a dedicated human interface. PHOENIX is a radically new, high risk/high reward project. It also holds the promise to shed light on emergent properties of self-organization, local adaptation and division of labour in autonomous systems. The high societal benefits, foundational character and long-term focus make PHOENIX a perfect fit for the FET programme.