ERC Funding: €10M for Neuropathic Pain Research | San Raffaele

€10 Million ERC Grant Fuels Groundbreaking Research into the Blood-Nerve Barrier

A new, six-year research initiative backed by a €10 million grant from the European research Council (ERC) aims to unlock the secrets of the blood-nerve barrier, potentially revolutionizing treatment for chronic pain and nerve damage. The project, dubbed minerva, will be led by Dr. Dario Bonanomi of the IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital in Milan, in collaboration with an international team of researchers.

Did you know?-the blood-nerve barrier protects peripheral nerves from toxins and pathogens, but its complex structure has made it difficult to study until now.

Unveiling a Hidden Protector of the Nervous system

The blood-nerve barrier serves as a critical defense mechanism for the peripheral nervous system, shielding delicate nerve fibers from harmful toxins and pathogens. Despite its vital role in regulating movement,sensation,and organ function,this neurovascular structure remains largely unexplored due to the complex anatomy of the nerves it protects.

“Studying the blood-nerve barrier is crucial because it represents a fundamental line of defense for the peripheral nerves,” a senior researcher involved in the project stated. “Its integrity is essential to guarantee the correct functioning of the peripheral nervous system.”

Pro tip:-Targeted drug delivery via synthetic peptides that cross the blood-nerve barrier could offer a less invasive treatment for peripheral nerve disorders.

international Collaboration Drives Innovation

The MINerVA project is a truly international effort, bringing together expertise from leading institutions across Europe. Alongside Dr. Bonanomi, the research team includes Isabelle Brunet of the Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (France), Tambet Teesalu from the University of Tartu (Estonia), and Ellie tzima of the University of Oxford (United Kingdom). This collaborative approach is expected to foster a dynamic research habitat and accelerate discovery.

The ERC Synergy Grant, awarded on November 6, 2025, recognizes the team’s ability to integrate complementary skills and propose an innovative approach to a challenging scientific problem. this marks the 37th ERC project funded at the IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital and Vita-Salute San raffaele University as 2007, solidifying their position as a global leader in biomedical research.

Reader question:-How might a better understanding of the blood-nerve barrier improve treatment for the over 70% of cancer patients experiencing chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain?

Targeting Neuropathic Pain and Beyond

A key focus of the MINerVA project will be chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain, a debilitating condition affecting over 70% of cancer patients undergoing neurotoxic drug treatments. Researchers aim to characterize the cellular and molecular composition of the blood-nerve barrier, analyze its response to mechanical stress, and investigate how it changes in pathological conditions.

The ultimate goal is to develop a new generation of synthetic peptides capable of crossing the barrier and delivering drugs directly to affected nerves. This targeted approach could offer a more effective and less invasive treatment option for a wide range of peripheral nerve disorders.

“The lack of in-depth knowledge on the blood-nerve barrier limits the development of effective treatments and prevents targeted interventions,” Dr. Bonanomi explained. “MINerVA was created precisely to fill this gap: understanding the structure and functioning of the barrier means opening new therapeutic avenues for millions of patients who today live with disabling symptoms and few treatment options.”

The project’s ambition is to transform our understanding of this critical neurovascular interface, moving it from a “biological enigma” to a viable therapeutic target

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