Project alerts to "the malfunctions in the energy factory" of the human body

^{Translation by Diana Taborda}

Mit.OnOff", a science communication project carried out by the Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC) of the University of Coimbra (UC), aims to raise awareness of diseases caused by the human body's inability to produce energy.

Based on a bilateral partnership between the University of Coimbra and the University of Bergen (Norway), this project aims to produce an illustrated book in Portuguese, English and Norwegian as a literacy tool to raise awareness of rare diseases, particularly those that affect the 'power plants' of human cells - the mitochondria. These rare diseases are called mitochondrial cytopathies and are often difficult to diagnose and treat. One example is Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy - LHON, a type of blindness that affects mostly young adults and, although rare, is hereditary, has very limited treatment and is still considered incurable.

Thus, Mit.OnOff focuses on "raising the awareness of the Portuguese and Norwegian populations on this issue, thus improving their scientific and health literacy", explains Manuela Grazina, CNC group leader and coordinator of the project.

"We also hope that this book will make patients feel seen and included so that they can have a voice in the decision-making process about their illness.", adds the professor of the Faculty of Medicine of the UC.

This is a project that will benefit not only the general public but also the scientific community: "It's about developing a tool that allows us to bring scientific information to the public and make it more accessible. We believe that it can also be used as an educational tool in schools, patient associations, health institutions and others," Grazina concludes.

A multidisciplinary team of researchers, science communicators and an illustrator started working on the book at the end of February. Over the course of a year, promotional materials will be developed to raise awareness of mitochondrial cytopathies. The book launch is planned for February 2023, the month in which Rare Disease Day is celebrated.

The project is funded by the European Economic Area (EEA) Grants.

More info at: https://bit.ly/35k7Dwr.