“SECRET is not just a research consortium, it is a living laboratory where ideas are tested, challenged, and reshaped through collaboration. At its core are our doctoral candidates, who are not simply being trained but are actively co-creating the knowledge we seek to advance. They move across disciplines, sectors, and borders, bringing fresh perspectives that continually redefine our approach. With the support of the MSCA Doctoral Networks, we are building an environment where curiosity drives innovation and where early-stage researchers become confident architects of Europe’s scientific future.” – Prof. Ornella Parolini, Coordinator.

Our WP leaders and DCs are smashing goals across Work Packages—here’s the latest!

WP2 Update
DCs nailed core research, paving the way for game-changing outputs this year

DC1 and DC2 successfully established and optimized protocols for the isolation, expansion, and culture of human amniotic membrane MSCs (hAMSCs) and Wharton’s Jelly MSCs (WJ-MSCs), while DC4 focused on the establishment and culture optimization of human amniotic fluid stem cells (hAFSCs) under conditions supporting optimal growth and secretome production. Comparative studies investigating normoxic and hypoxic pre-conditioning strategies, conditioned media collection timing, and functional secretome assessment were initiated across consortium partners. In parallel, DC3 focused on EV isolation and characterization workflows, alongside the implementation of standardized immunomodulatory and endothelial-related in vitro assays together with DC5 to evaluate the biological activity of secretome and EV preparations exchanged among partners. Additionally, DC5 initiated the development and optimization of an organ-on-chip model to investigate endothelial and immune-related functional responses in a physiologically relevant microenvironment. Together, these activities provide a strong foundation for translational and GMP-oriented developments within WP2.

WP3 Update

DC4 is actively working on refining an in vitro oxygen-glucose deprivation assay on murine cardiomyocytes, in order to align the experimental results within the WP3 with the neuroprotective effects of the different perinatal secretomes on the 3D injury models being developed by DC6 and DC8. DC5 has been successfully optimizing the basal heart-on-chip model, and he is now working on defining the injury protocol while also starting to test the different perinatal secretome samples received by DC1, DC2 and DC4.