Fish are the phylogenetically oldest vertebrate group with an immune system with clear similarities to the immune system of mammals. However, it is an actual matter of fact that the current knowledge of the fish immune system seems to lack the key piece to complete the puzzle. In 1953 Nelson described a new role of human red blood cells (RBCs) which would go beyond the simple transport of O2 to the tissues. This new role, involved in the defence against microbes, described the antibody and complement-dependent binding of microbial immune complexes to RBCs. Regardless of the importance of this finding in the field of microbial infection, this phenomenon has been poorly evaluated. Just recently, a set of biological processes relevant to immunity have been described in the RBCs of a diverse group of organisms, which include: pathogen recognition, pathogen binding and clearance and cytokines production. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that nucleated erythrocytes from fish and avian species develop specific responses to different pathogen associated molecular patterns and produce soluble factors that modulate leukocyte activity. In the light of these pieces of evidences, and in an attempt to improve the knowledge of the immune mechanism(s) responsible for fish protection against viral infections, we raised the question: could nucleated fish erythrocytes be the key mediators of the antiviral responses? To answer this question we decided to focus our project on the evaluation of the crosstalk between red and white blood cells in the scenario of fish viral infections and prophylaxis. For that a working model composed of the rainbow trout and the viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV) was chosen, being the objectives of the project to evaluate: i) the implication trout RBCs (tRBCs) in the clearance of VHSV, and ii) the involvement of tRBCs in the blood transportation of the glycoprotein G of VHSV (GVHSV), the antigen encoded by the DNA vaccine.

The Deterministic6G V2X project addresses the growing demands of autonomous driving technologies, which require substantial processing power as Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAVs) manage vast data streams and make real-time decisions. This involves processing extensive data from sensors like lidar, radar, and cameras, and integrating this information with data from other vehicles via V2X communication, enhanced by AI algorithms for effective decision-making. However, current vehicle processing capabilities are inadequate for the large data volumes generated by V2X applications. While 5G networks have integrated computing capabilities through Mobile Edge Computing (MEC), 6G networks aim to further embed AI and advanced networking across the Local-Edge-Cloud (LEC) continuum, enhancing processing and decision-making. The Deterministic6G V2X project envisions automated vehicles connected to 6G networks, enabling cooperative processing and task distribution across the network to maintain reliable communication, computing, and control within bounded latency. This requires a deterministic design of 6G networks, ensuring predictable and reliable interactions between vehicles and the network. Our holistic approach to deterministic 6G-V2X systems considers not just communication latency, but also computing and control latencies within the LEC continuum, optimizing processing unit selection based on computational power, bandwidth, and latency needs. This design aims to enhance the reliability, efficiency, and scalability of V2X systems and autonomous vehicles, advancing the seamless integration of next-generation networks.

Despite widespread recognition of social, economic, or environmental health determinants, health action remains heavily dominated by individual-level solutions (e.g., medication, patient counselling, vaccination). This proposal aims to stimulate changes in health system functioning by demonstrating how the cocreation of actions to address psychological well-being, cardiovascular health, and antimicrobial resistance from within the community can alleviate the burden on primary care services, reduce medicalisation and increase health equity. The scientific approach uses mixed methods and incorporates theory from multiple disciplines. We will appraise how the current system addresses psychological well-being, cardiovascular health, and rational use of antibiotics using a population survey, a survey of patients collecting their medication at community pharmacies, aggregate health service indicators on medication consumption and primary care consultations, and qualitative methods exploring stakeholders’ perceptions. We will undertake community-based participatory research to engage citizen scientists in the cocreation of community-led actions to promote psychological well-being, cardiovascular health, and prevent antimicrobial resistance. The design, implementation, and evaluation of the actions will apply an assets-based approach and apply theories and frameworks from implementation science in an iterative manner over 3 years. Finally, we will analyse the impact of the cocreated actions, considering effectiveness and broader contextual issues such as initiative adoption, implementation, and maintenance. This will use a before-after comparison of survey indicators, an interrupted time-series analysis of health service data and qualitative analysis. The goal is to demonstrate how the integration of community action with attention to the social determinants of health, can lead to a more rational approach to health care and ultimately improve health and health equity.