First, we ran 3 small-scale proof-of-concept trials to i) obtain samples for technique development in WPs 3-5, ii) obtain first-hand biological information on effect sizes of features of interest to better design the trials scheduled for WP6 and WP7, and iii) obtain intestinal/faecal samples for the in vitro tests in WP3, WP6, and WP7. Second, we employed multiple approaches to identify the most optimal procedures to sample, fixate, and microdissect intestinal tissues in a way that maximises nucleic acid and metabolite yield while enabling high quality imaging procedures.

Work Package 3 had a duration of 29 months and was concluded in January 2024.

Milestones 1 & 2 of the project were achieved --> MS1 "Proof-of-concept trials accomplished" & MS2 "Sample preparation methods for generating 3D’omics data are ready". 

The outcome of this Work Package were 6 method reports, which were shared confidentially within the consortium and with the EC.