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Naturally occurring compounds to fight Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases (NEUROAMYLOID)
NaEonal Research & InnovaEon Programme
University of Malta
NaEonalResearch&InnovaEonProgramme - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
NaEonalResearch&InnovaEonProgramme - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
NaEonalResearch&InnovaEonProgramme NaturallyoccurringcompoundstofightAlzheimersandParkinsonsdiseases (NEUROAMYLOID) UniversityofMalta TheScience 1. normal protein Proteins:
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- 1. normal protein
- 2. protein misfolding
- 3. toxic sticky aggregates
Proteins:
- “amyloid-β” in
Alzheimer’s Disease
- “α-synuclein” in
Parkinson’s Disease
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Disease process replicated in the laboratory
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The Innova-on
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To identify chemical compounds that:
- 1. inhibit clumping of
protein into amyloid plaques;
- 2. protect brain cells from
damage by the oligomers.
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Mediterranean ‘Drug Cabinet’
“the most powerful ‘drugs’ for our bodies are the foods and beverages we eat and drink every day.” - polyphenols
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Natural Extracts
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Major Advantages
Targets an early process of the disease Potential for a disease-modifying therapy Makes use of natural products
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FEBS Lett. (2011) 585, 1113-1120
controlPolyphenols prevent clump formation
fluorescence correlation spectroscopy
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liposome-based assays for membrane leakage
Polyphenols protect brain membranes
toxic sticky aggregates
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Gauci et al. (2011) J. Alzheimer’s Disease 27, 767-779.
Polyphenols protect brain membranes
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Polyphenols protect brain mitochondria
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We have screened 17 natural polyphenol compounds and 4 plant extracts in four different assays, modeling both Alzheimer's Disease and Parkinson's Disease.
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On the basis of these assays, we have identified 3 polyphenols and 2 extracts showing striking anti-amyloid activity in all of the assays.
Achieved Scientific Objectives
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★ 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
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★ 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.
Main Deliverables
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Current Partners/Sponsors
★ University of Malta - project coordinator ★ ICP Ltd. - industrial partner ★ LMU/DZNE-Munich - collaborator ★ Malta Council for Science and Technology
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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