Scottish university secure funding for innovative health research projects
The University of Aberdeen has won funds for four innovative projects from a Scottish scheme intended to bring cutting-edge research closer to the market place. The projects range from a treatment for arthritis to sea-sponge influenced drug delivery methods, a new insect repellent, and an exercise machine for rehabilitation after illness or injury. The NESTech Fund was created through an award from Scotland's Office of Science and Technology, Scottish Enterprise and the Universities of Aberdeen, Dundee and St Andrews. It is run by a capital management company on behalf of the three universities. The scheme is intended to enable each project to reach a stage at which a spin out company can be created, or licensing becomes attractive. In total, the new projects have received over GBP 700,000 (€1.04 million). Medicinal chemist Iain Greig is developing novel drugs for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Around 1% of the Western population suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, making it a leading cause of disability. Treatment involves biological agents that cost around €15,000 per year per patient. In the UK, this means that only around 15% of sufferers have access to these therapies. 'What we have discovered is a series of novel drugs that do exactly the same as the expensive ones but at a fraction of the cost,' says Dr Greig. 'We believe they have the potential to revolutionise the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease and psoriasis.' Marcel Jaspars and Rod Scott have received funding to synthetically create a product that is similar to the natural toxins produced by sea sponges. The toxins are attractive as they are able to temporarily form pores in cell membranes through which molecules can pass. If researchers are able to produce synthetic versions of these toxins, they could be used to effectively delivery drugs into cells. 'Some drugs fail early on or late on in drug trials because they can't get through the membrane of the cell,' says Professor Jaspars. 'If they can't get through how are they supposed to act? 'Our tool could let small molecules through and could make drugs that had been discarded viable again. It could also be used for the delivery of genes or proteins to cells.' Dr Scott explains that sea sponges produce pore forming toxins as a chemical defence against fish and micro-organisms. 'What we really need to do is get away from the sponges that produce a very complex cocktail of toxins and make our own well defined molecules that have similar properties,' he says. Jenny Mordue will receive funding for a collaborative project with Rothamsted Research to develop a natural insect repellent. The most effective repellents currently available can have unwanted side effects, such as dissolving plastic. Some are not recommended for use on children, for long-term use. 'A completely safe and natural product is urgently needed and that is what we are developing, based on the body's own natural repellent systems,' says Professor Mordue. 'We have identified several compounds and are now trying to find the best mix. We are currently trialling these all around the world to see which defend best against different biting insects.' Another collaborative project will receive finance from NESTech to complete the prototype of a device that would be used in the rehabilitation of patients after an accident or illness. Richard Neilson will work with Marco Cardinale from the British Olympic Association on the project. The planned machine would be for use in hospitals, and could also be bed-mounted when necessary. It could also be used by physiotherapists and athletes.
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