NaEonalResearch&InnovaEonProgramme - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

NaEonal
Research
&
InnovaEon
Programme
 Naturally
occurring
compounds
to
fight
Alzheimer’s
and
Parkinson’s
diseases
 (NEUROAMYLOID)
 University
of
Malta


The
Science



1. normal protein Proteins: 2. protein misfolding  “amyloid- β ” in Alzheimer ’ s Disease  “ α -synuclein” in 3. toxic sticky aggregates Parkinson ’ s Disease

Disease process replicated in the laboratory

The
Innova-on


To identify chemical compounds that: 1. inhibit clumping of protein into amyloid plaques; 2. protect brain cells from damage by the oligomers.

Mediterranean ‘Drug Cabinet ’ “the most powerful ‘drugs’ for our bodies are the foods and beverages we eat and drink every day.” - polyphenols

Natural Extracts

Major Advantages  Targets an early process of the disease  Potential for a disease-modifying therapy  Makes use of natural products

Polyphenols prevent clump formation FEBS Lett. (2011) 585 , 1113-1120 fluorescence correlation spectroscopy control

Polyphenols protect brain membranes toxic sticky aggregates liposome-based assays for membrane leakage

Polyphenols protect brain membranes Gauci et al . (2011) J. Alzheimer ’ s Disease 27 , 767-779.

Polyphenols protect brain mitochondria

Achieved Scientific Objectives ★ We have screened 17 natural polyphenol compounds and 4 plant extracts in four different assays, modeling both Alzheimer's Disease and Parkinson's Disease. ★ On the basis of these assays, we have identified 3 polyphenols and 2 extracts showing striking anti-amyloid activity in all of the assays.

Main Deliverables ★ 3 scientific publications (another 2 in preparation) ★ enhance reputation of UoM as a ‘hub’ for research excellence in drug discovery ★ improved ranking for Malta in EU innovation scoreboard

Main Deliverables ★ Training for 6 Maltese students at M.Sc./Ph.D. level ★ 2 German students – M.Sc. (Munich) ★ R&D benefits for Institute of Cellular Pharmacology Ltd.

Current Partners/Sponsors ★ University of Malta - project coordinator ★ ICP Ltd. - industrial partner ★ LMU/DZNE-Munich - collaborator ★ Malta Council for Science and Technology

Future Goals Translational Research The obligatory next step in the research is a critical one – the most promising compounds and extracts have to be validated in an in vivo model of Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Only thus can results from the laboratory be translated into tangible benefits in the clinical setting.