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29 January 2025 / About Oamk

Oamk participates in the new European DRIP4H project –  aim is to transform healthcare research infrastructures through cutting-edge technologies 

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A European consortium of various experts has been awarded a substantial EUR 11.9 million lump sum grant from Horizon Europe to start the new initiative called “Decentralized Health Digital Twin Ecosystem Consisting of Research Infrastructures – DTRIP4H”. It aims to transform European healthcare RIs by using cutting-edge generative AI and digital twin technologies integrated with virtual reality (VR). Digital twin technologies driven by generative AI will enable the creation of virtual models of physical systems, allowing researchers to test and enhance real-world processes. 

The project seeks solutions to the safety concerns caused by MRI scans (magnetic resonance imaging) related to the exposure of patients and healthcare workers to electromagnetic fields (EMF). The project will develop a virtual reality-based digital twin application to improve MRI safety training and teaching. Oulu University of Applied Sciences together with Finnish project actors will focus on this case study in the project.

– Our goal is to improve occupational safety and patient care by offering training tools that are as illustrative as possible, says Project Manager Niko Männikkö from Oulu University of Applied Sciences.

 The DTRIP4H consortium aims to advance the state-of-the-art in European research infrastructures, ultimately strengthening research capabilities by closing the gaps that prevent access to critical assets and capabilities across research infrastructures that address pressing health challenges. The project emphasises a people-centred approach. 

– The project will use Federated Learning methods, generative AI and digital twin technologies in line with the EU Data Strategy (COM 2022066). Our goal is to develop a privacy-preserving, trustworthy, open-source, and decentralised digital twin environment to advance digital twin solutions for health research, Niko continues.

These advanced digital tools will offer researchers with enhanced capabilities for data visualisation, analysis and access, ultimately advancing healthcare research, reducing healthcare costs and accelerating the development of novel therapies through cutting-edge technology. 

The consortium brings together 23 beneficiaries and 3 affiliated entities from 14 European countries, including universities, large enterprises, hospitals, SMEs, and leading research infrastructures, such as the European Infrastructure for Translational Medicine (EATRIS) and the Environmental Exposure Assessment Research Infrastructure (EIRENE). This group boasts multidiscipline expertise in technology, healthcare, research, and development, translating cutting-edge research into tangible societal benefits. 

The consortium members are: 

  • Estonia: Tallinn University of Technology, Protobios 
  • Finland: Lapland University of Applied Sciences, University of Oulu, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, University of Helsinki, Near Real Ltd, Oulu University of Applied Sciences,
  • Lithuania: TeraGlobus
  • Germany: DigitalTwin Technology, NEC Laboratories Europe (NEC Italia S.p.A.), Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (Hospital of The University of Munich)
  • Italy: Chino.io, University of Bologna
  • Spain: University of the Basque Country
  • Portugal: Instituto Pedro Nunes
  • Belgium: European Health Management Association (EHMA)
  • The Netherlands: Sync Biosystems (part of the Demcon group)
  • Czechia: Masaryk University
  • Romania: Artificial Intelligence Expert
  • France: Inria – National Institute for Research in Digital Science and Technology
  • Greece: Centre for Research and Technology – HELLAS
  • Cyprus: LINAC-PET SCAN OPCO LTD (The German Oncology Center) 

More information about the project at Oulu University of Applied Sciences can be obtained from:

Lead Researcher Niko Männikkö, Oulu University of Applied Sciences (Oamk), tel. 050 4096318, niko.mannikko@oamk.fi

Principal Lecturer Karoliina Paalimäki-Paakki, Oulu University of Applied Sciences (Oamk), tel. 0401415726, karoliina.paalimaki-paakki@oamk.fi

Lecturer, Team Manager Tanja Schroderus-Salo, Oulu University of Applied Sciences (Oamk), tel. 040 4829691, tanja.schroderus-salo@oamk.fi

Explore online: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101188432

The project is funded by the European Union (DTRIP4H, No. 101188432). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the granting authority. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. 

Upcoming website | www.dtrip4h.eu 

LinkedIn / The X | @dtrip4h 



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