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Graziano Martello, Professor of Molecular Biology in the Department of Biology at the University of Padua, has been awarded a €150,000 Proof of Concept Grant by the European Research Council (ERC) for the project “Epiblast – Enhanced Platform for the Identification of molecules Boosting or Limiting Amniotic cavity and primitive STreak formation.” This grant supports researchers in bridging the gap between groundbreaking scientific discoveries and the early stages of commercial or social application. This year, 480 proposals were submitted, with only 30% selected and just 9 based in Italy.
Martello’s research team aims to revolutionize the way drug effects on embryonic development are studied by creating a fully automated, in vitro platform that replicates the first 14 days of human development.
The project responds to longstanding concerns about drug safety during pregnancy, concerns that were tragically underscored by the thalidomide case in the 1960s. Thalidomide caused severe birth defects, highlighting the teratogenic risks of some medications. Today, only about 30% of embryos successfully implant during early development — a figure whose underlying causes remain unclear. It’s unknown whether this is due to teratogenic effects of commonly used drugs or a lack of essential nutrients like folic acid, which is recommended early in pregnancy to support proper neural development.
Currently, there are no effective methods for testing drug effects on human embryos. Pregnant women cannot participate in clinical trials for ethical reasons, and animal testing has major limitations.
This is where the innovative Epiblast 3D model comes in. By using human pluripotent stem cells, the team can recreate a three-dimensional in vitro system that faithfully mimics the early stages of embryonic development — including peri- and post-implantation phases — and replicates key structures such as the epiblast epithelium, primitive streak, and amniotic cavity.
“Our goal is to provide a safe and efficient tool for rapidly testing many drugs and developing more accurate guidelines for their use during pregnancy,” explains Graziano Martello. “Beyond identifying potential risks, this 3D model will also help us discover substances that could enhance the chances of conception. Ultimately, our project aims to make pregnancies safer and children healthier.”
Thanks to the ERC Proof of Concept grant, which supports the exploration of a discovery's practical potential, the Epiblast project seeks to validate and automate this model for large-scale, rapid assessment of drug teratogenicity — significantly reducing reliance on animal testing. This recognition further confirms the excellence and innovation of Martello’s research.
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Graziano Martello, Professor of Molecular Biology in the Department of Biology at the University of Padua, has been awarded a €150,000 Proof of Concept Grant by the European Research Council (ERC) for the project “Epiblast – Enhanced Platform for the Identification of molecules Boosting or Limiting Amniotic cavity and primitive STreak formation.” This grant supports researchers in bridging the gap between groundbreaking scientific discoveries and the early stages of commercial or social application. This year, 480 proposals were submitted, with only 30% selected and just 9 based in Italy.
Martello’s research team aims to revolutionize the way drug effects on embryonic development are studied by creating a fully automated, in vitro platform that replicates the first 14 days of human development.
The project responds to longstanding concerns about drug safety during pregnancy, concerns that were tragically underscored by the thalidomide case in the 1960s. Thalidomide caused severe birth defects, highlighting the teratogenic risks of some medications. Today, only about 30% of embryos successfully implant during early development — a figure whose underlying causes remain unclear. It’s unknown whether this is due to teratogenic effects of commonly used drugs or a lack of essential nutrients like folic acid, which is recommended early in pregnancy to support proper neural development.
Currently, there are no effective methods for testing drug effects on human embryos. Pregnant women cannot participate in clinical trials for ethical reasons, and animal testing has major limitations.
This is where the innovative Epiblast 3D model comes in. By using human pluripotent stem cells, the team can recreate a three-dimensional in vitro system that faithfully mimics the early stages of embryonic development — including peri- and post-implantation phases — and replicates key structures such as the epiblast epithelium, primitive streak, and amniotic cavity.
“Our goal is to provide a safe and efficient tool for rapidly testing many drugs and developing more accurate guidelines for their use during pregnancy,” explains Graziano Martello. “Beyond identifying potential risks, this 3D model will also help us discover substances that could enhance the chances of conception. Ultimately, our project aims to make pregnancies safer and children healthier.”
Thanks to the ERC Proof of Concept grant, which supports the exploration of a discovery's practical potential, the Epiblast project seeks to validate and automate this model for large-scale, rapid assessment of drug teratogenicity — significantly reducing reliance on animal testing. This recognition further confirms the excellence and innovation of Martello’s research.
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Graziano Martello, Professor of Molecular Biology in the Department of Biology at the University of Padua, has been awarded a €150,000 Proof of Concept Grant by the European Research Council (ERC) for the project “Epiblast – Enhanced Platform for the Identification of molecules Boosting or Limiting Amniotic cavity and primitive STreak formation.” This grant supports researchers in bridging the gap between groundbreaking scientific discoveries and the early stages of commercial or social application. This year, 480 proposals were submitted, with only 30% selected and just 9 based in Italy.
Martello’s research team aims to revolutionize the way drug effects on embryonic development are studied by creating a fully automated, in vitro platform that replicates the first 14 days of human development.
The project responds to longstanding concerns about drug safety during pregnancy, concerns that were tragically underscored by the thalidomide case in the 1960s. Thalidomide caused severe birth defects, highlighting the teratogenic risks of some medications. Today, only about 30% of embryos successfully implant during early development — a figure whose underlying causes remain unclear. It’s unknown whether this is due to teratogenic effects of commonly used drugs or a lack of essential nutrients like folic acid, which is recommended early in pregnancy to support proper neural development.
Currently, there are no effective methods for testing drug effects on human embryos. Pregnant women cannot participate in clinical trials for ethical reasons, and animal testing has major limitations.
This is where the innovative Epiblast 3D model comes in. By using human pluripotent stem cells, the team can recreate a three-dimensional in vitro system that faithfully mimics the early stages of embryonic development — including peri- and post-implantation phases — and replicates key structures such as the epiblast epithelium, primitive streak, and amniotic cavity.
“Our goal is to provide a safe and efficient tool for rapidly testing many drugs and developing more accurate guidelines for their use during pregnancy,” explains Graziano Martello. “Beyond identifying potential risks, this 3D model will also help us discover substances that could enhance the chances of conception. Ultimately, our project aims to make pregnancies safer and children healthier.”
Thanks to the ERC Proof of Concept grant, which supports the exploration of a discovery's practical potential, the Epiblast project seeks to validate and automate this model for large-scale, rapid assessment of drug teratogenicity — significantly reducing reliance on animal testing. This recognition further confirms the excellence and innovation of Martello’s research.
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Martello’s research team aims to revolutionize the way drug effects on embryonic development are studied by creating a fully automated, in vitro platform that replicates the first 14 days of human development.
The project responds to longstanding concerns about drug safety during pregnancy, concerns that were tragically underscored by the thalidomide case in the 1960s. Thalidomide caused severe birth defects, highlighting the teratogenic risks of some medications. Today, only about 30% of embryos successfully implant during early development — a figure whose underlying causes remain unclear. It’s unknown whether this is due to teratogenic effects of commonly used drugs or a lack of essential nutrients like folic acid, which is recommended early in pregnancy to support proper neural development.
Currently, there are no effective methods for testing drug effects on human embryos. Pregnant women cannot participate in clinical trials for ethical reasons, and animal testing has major limitations.
This is where the innovative Epiblast 3D model comes in. By using human pluripotent stem cells, the team can recreate a three-dimensional in vitro system that faithfully mimics the early stages of embryonic development — including peri- and post-implantation phases — and replicates key structures such as the epiblast epithelium, primitive streak, and amniotic cavity.
“Our goal is to provide a safe and efficient tool for rapidly testing many drugs and developing more accurate guidelines for their use during pregnancy,” explains Graziano Martello. “Beyond identifying potential risks, this 3D model will also help us discover substances that could enhance the chances of conception. Ultimately, our project aims to make pregnancies safer and children healthier.”
Thanks to the ERC Proof of Concept grant, which supports the exploration of a discovery's practical potential, the Epiblast project seeks to validate and automate this model for large-scale, rapid assessment of drug teratogenicity — significantly reducing reliance on animal testing. This recognition further confirms the excellence and innovation of Martello’s research.
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Martello’s research team aims to revolutionize the way drug effects on embryonic development are studied by creating a fully automated, in vitro platform that replicates the first 14 days of human development.
The project responds to longstanding concerns about drug safety during pregnancy, concerns that were tragically underscored by the thalidomide case in the 1960s. Thalidomide caused severe birth defects, highlighting the teratogenic risks of some medications. Today, only about 30% of embryos successfully implant during early development — a figure whose underlying causes remain unclear. It’s unknown whether this is due to teratogenic effects of commonly used drugs or a lack of essential nutrients like folic acid, which is recommended early in pregnancy to support proper neural development.
Currently, there are no effective methods for testing drug effects on human embryos. Pregnant women cannot participate in clinical trials for ethical reasons, and animal testing has major limitations.
This is where the innovative Epiblast 3D model comes in. By using human pluripotent stem cells, the team can recreate a three-dimensional in vitro system that faithfully mimics the early stages of embryonic development — including peri- and post-implantation phases — and replicates key structures such as the epiblast epithelium, primitive streak, and amniotic cavity.
“Our goal is to provide a safe and efficient tool for rapidly testing many drugs and developing more accurate guidelines for their use during pregnancy,” explains Graziano Martello. “Beyond identifying potential risks, this 3D model will also help us discover substances that could enhance the chances of conception. Ultimately, our project aims to make pregnancies safer and children healthier.”
Thanks to the ERC Proof of Concept grant, which supports the exploration of a discovery's practical potential, the Epiblast project seeks to validate and automate this model for large-scale, rapid assessment of drug teratogenicity — significantly reducing reliance on animal testing. This recognition further confirms the excellence and innovation of Martello’s research.
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Martello’s research team aims to revolutionize the way drug effects on embryonic development are studied by creating a fully automated, in vitro platform that replicates the first 14 days of human development.
The project responds to longstanding concerns about drug safety during pregnancy, concerns that were tragically underscored by the thalidomide case in the 1960s. Thalidomide caused severe birth defects, highlighting the teratogenic risks of some medications. Today, only about 30% of embryos successfully implant during early development — a figure whose underlying causes remain unclear. It’s unknown whether this is due to teratogenic effects of commonly used drugs or a lack of essential nutrients like folic acid, which is recommended early in pregnancy to support proper neural development.
Currently, there are no effective methods for testing drug effects on human embryos. Pregnant women cannot participate in clinical trials for ethical reasons, and animal testing has major limitations.
This is where the innovative Epiblast 3D model comes in. By using human pluripotent stem cells, the team can recreate a three-dimensional in vitro system that faithfully mimics the early stages of embryonic development — including peri- and post-implantation phases — and replicates key structures such as the epiblast epithelium, primitive streak, and amniotic cavity.
“Our goal is to provide a safe and efficient tool for rapidly testing many drugs and developing more accurate guidelines for their use during pregnancy,” explains Graziano Martello. “Beyond identifying potential risks, this 3D model will also help us discover substances that could enhance the chances of conception. Ultimately, our project aims to make pregnancies safer and children healthier.”
Thanks to the ERC Proof of Concept grant, which supports the exploration of a discovery's practical potential, the Epiblast project seeks to validate and automate this model for large-scale, rapid assessment of drug teratogenicity — significantly reducing reliance on animal testing. This recognition further confirms the excellence and innovation of Martello’s research.
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Graziano Martello, Professor of Molecular Biology in the Department of Biology at the University of Padua, has been awarded a €150,000 Proof of Concept Grant by the European Research Council (ERC) for the project “Epiblast – Enhanced Platform for the Identification of molecules Boosting or Limiting Amniotic cavity and primitive STreak formation.” This grant supports researchers in bridging the gap between groundbreaking scientific discoveries and the early stages of commercial or social application. This year, 480 proposals were submitted, with only 30% selected and just 9 based in Italy.
Martello’s research team aims to revolutionize the way drug effects on embryonic development are studied by creating a fully automated, in vitro platform that replicates the first 14 days of human development.
The project responds to longstanding concerns about drug safety during pregnancy, concerns that were tragically underscored by the thalidomide case in the 1960s. Thalidomide caused severe birth defects, highlighting the teratogenic risks of some medications. Today, only about 30% of embryos successfully implant during early development — a figure whose underlying causes remain unclear. It’s unknown whether this is due to teratogenic effects of commonly used drugs or a lack of essential nutrients like folic acid, which is recommended early in pregnancy to support proper neural development.
Currently, there are no effective methods for testing drug effects on human embryos. Pregnant women cannot participate in clinical trials for ethical reasons, and animal testing has major limitations.
This is where the innovative Epiblast 3D model comes in. By using human pluripotent stem cells, the team can recreate a three-dimensional in vitro system that faithfully mimics the early stages of embryonic development — including peri- and post-implantation phases — and replicates key structures such as the epiblast epithelium, primitive streak, and amniotic cavity.
“Our goal is to provide a safe and efficient tool for rapidly testing many drugs and developing more accurate guidelines for their use during pregnancy,” explains Graziano Martello. “Beyond identifying potential risks, this 3D model will also help us discover substances that could enhance the chances of conception. Ultimately, our project aims to make pregnancies safer and children healthier.”
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Graziano Martello, Professor of Molecular Biology in the Department of Biology at the University of Padua, has been awarded a €150,000 Proof of Concept Grant by the European Research Council (ERC) for the project “Epiblast – Enhanced Platform for the Identification of molecules Boosting or Limiting Amniotic cavity and primitive STreak formation.” This grant supports researchers in bridging the gap between groundbreaking scientific discoveries and the early stages of commercial or social application. This year, 480 proposals were submitted, with only 30% selected and just 9 based in Italy.
Martello’s research team aims to revolutionize the way drug effects on embryonic development are studied by creating a fully automated, in vitro platform that replicates the first 14 days of human development.
The project responds to longstanding concerns about drug safety during pregnancy, concerns that were tragically underscored by the thalidomide case in the 1960s. Thalidomide caused severe birth defects, highlighting the teratogenic risks of some medications. Today, only about 30% of embryos successfully implant during early development — a figure whose underlying causes remain unclear. It’s unknown whether this is due to teratogenic effects of commonly used drugs or a lack of essential nutrients like folic acid, which is recommended early in pregnancy to support proper neural development.
Currently, there are no effective methods for testing drug effects on human embryos. Pregnant women cannot participate in clinical trials for ethical reasons, and animal testing has major limitations.
This is where the innovative Epiblast 3D model comes in. By using human pluripotent stem cells, the team can recreate a three-dimensional in vitro system that faithfully mimics the early stages of embryonic development — including peri- and post-implantation phases — and replicates key structures such as the epiblast epithelium, primitive streak, and amniotic cavity.
“Our goal is to provide a safe and efficient tool for rapidly testing many drugs and developing more accurate guidelines for their use during pregnancy,” explains Graziano Martello. “Beyond identifying potential risks, this 3D model will also help us discover substances that could enhance the chances of conception. Ultimately, our project aims to make pregnancies safer and children healthier.”
Thanks to the ERC Proof of Concept grant, which supports the exploration of a discovery's practical potential, the Epiblast project seeks to validate and automate this model for large-scale, rapid assessment of drug teratogenicity — significantly reducing reliance on animal testing. This recognition further confirms the excellence and innovation of Martello’s research.
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Graziano Martello, Professor of Molecular Biology in the Department of Biology at the University of Padua, has been awarded a €150,000 Proof of Concept Grant by the European Research Council (ERC) for the project “Epiblast – Enhanced Platform for the Identification of molecules Boosting or Limiting Amniotic cavity and primitive STreak formation.” This grant supports researchers in bridging the gap between groundbreaking scientific discoveries and the early stages of commercial or social application. This year, 480 proposals were submitted, with only 30% selected and just 9 based in Italy.
Martello’s research team aims to revolutionize the way drug effects on embryonic development are studied by creating a fully automated, in vitro platform that replicates the first 14 days of human development.
The project responds to longstanding concerns about drug safety during pregnancy, concerns that were tragically underscored by the thalidomide case in the 1960s. Thalidomide caused severe birth defects, highlighting the teratogenic risks of some medications. Today, only about 30% of embryos successfully implant during early development — a figure whose underlying causes remain unclear. It’s unknown whether this is due to teratogenic effects of commonly used drugs or a lack of essential nutrients like folic acid, which is recommended early in pregnancy to support proper neural development.
Currently, there are no effective methods for testing drug effects on human embryos. Pregnant women cannot participate in clinical trials for ethical reasons, and animal testing has major limitations.
This is where the innovative Epiblast 3D model comes in. By using human pluripotent stem cells, the team can recreate a three-dimensional in vitro system that faithfully mimics the early stages of embryonic development — including peri- and post-implantation phases — and replicates key structures such as the epiblast epithelium, primitive streak, and amniotic cavity.
“Our goal is to provide a safe and efficient tool for rapidly testing many drugs and developing more accurate guidelines for their use during pregnancy,” explains Graziano Martello. “Beyond identifying potential risks, this 3D model will also help us discover substances that could enhance the chances of conception. Ultimately, our project aims to make pregnancies safer and children healthier.”
Thanks to the ERC Proof of Concept grant, which supports the exploration of a discovery's practical potential, the Epiblast project seeks to validate and automate this model for large-scale, rapid assessment of drug teratogenicity — significantly reducing reliance on animal testing. This recognition further confirms the excellence and innovation of Martello’s research.
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Graziano Martello, Professor of Molecular Biology in the Department of Biology at the University of Padua, has been awarded a €150,000 Proof of Concept Grant by the European Research Council (ERC) for the project “Epiblast – Enhanced Platform for the Identification of molecules Boosting or Limiting Amniotic cavity and primitive STreak formation.” This grant supports researchers in bridging the gap between groundbreaking scientific discoveries and the early stages of commercial or social application. This year, 480 proposals were submitted, with only 30% selected and just 9 based in Italy.
Martello’s research team aims to revolutionize the way drug effects on embryonic development are studied by creating a fully automated, in vitro platform that replicates the first 14 days of human development.
The project responds to longstanding concerns about drug safety during pregnancy, concerns that were tragically underscored by the thalidomide case in the 1960s. Thalidomide caused severe birth defects, highlighting the teratogenic risks of some medications. Today, only about 30% of embryos successfully implant during early development — a figure whose underlying causes remain unclear. It’s unknown whether this is due to teratogenic effects of commonly used drugs or a lack of essential nutrients like folic acid, which is recommended early in pregnancy to support proper neural development.
Currently, there are no effective methods for testing drug effects on human embryos. Pregnant women cannot participate in clinical trials for ethical reasons, and animal testing has major limitations.
This is where the innovative Epiblast 3D model comes in. By using human pluripotent stem cells, the team can recreate a three-dimensional in vitro system that faithfully mimics the early stages of embryonic development — including peri- and post-implantation phases — and replicates key structures such as the epiblast epithelium, primitive streak, and amniotic cavity.
“Our goal is to provide a safe and efficient tool for rapidly testing many drugs and developing more accurate guidelines for their use during pregnancy,” explains Graziano Martello. “Beyond identifying potential risks, this 3D model will also help us discover substances that could enhance the chances of conception. Ultimately, our project aims to make pregnancies safer and children healthier.”
Thanks to the ERC Proof of Concept grant, which supports the exploration of a discovery's practical potential, the Epiblast project seeks to validate and automate this model for large-scale, rapid assessment of drug teratogenicity — significantly reducing reliance on animal testing. This recognition further confirms the excellence and innovation of Martello’s research.
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