Two researchers share 'Young Investigator Award'
Two young researchers have shared the first prize in this year's 'Young Investigator Award' organised by the European Vascular Genomics Network, an EU-funded Network of Excellence, and the European Meeting on Vascular Biology and Medicine. The two winners, under the age of 35, each received a financial grant for their high-quality laboratory work and the scientific merit of their efforts in the field of cardiovascular disease. 'The decision of giving the award ex-aequo was determined by the excellent quality of their work,' explained Professor Bradford Berk from the University of Rochester Cardiovascular Research Institute, and also a member of the scientific judging committee. Hafi Ait-Oufella, from the laboratory of Alain Tedgui at the French Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm), followed up previous studies carried out in the laboratory that proved that a subpopulation of T lymphocytes (called Treg) is able to protect the organism from atherosclerosis, where the progressive build up of plaque in the inner lining of an artery leads to the 'hardening of the arteries'. Mr Ait-Oufella succeeded in proving how a nuclear protein from the measles virus, adequately treated and administered, is able to reduce the disease atherosclerosis by up to 50% in a mouse model. His findings, when developed further, could result in the nucleoprotein from the measles virus being turned into a novel strategy to reduce and contain atherosclerosis. Rory Koenen, researcher at the laboratory of Christian Weber at the Institute for Cardiovascular Molecular Biology (IMCAR) in Germany investigated the role of two proteins secreted by cells when facilitating atherogenesis, the formation of atheromas on the walls of the arteries as in atherosclerosis. Mr Koenen found that the two proteins of the Chemokine family, RANTES and Platelet Factor 4 (PF4), interact with one another and promote the adhesion of the monocyte onto the vessel wall, which marks the progression of atherosclerosis. Using a sophisticated technique called intravital microscopy, as well as a molecule able to inhibit the RANTES-PF4 interaction, he proved that the inhibitor was effective in reducing atherosclerosis in the abdominal aorta of the model. The experiment proved that interactions between chemokines are (patho)physiologically relevant and may present an attractive target in the treatment of inflammatory diseases. 'Both young scientists emerged because of peculiar features: Ait-Oufella employed an excellent biological approach to the problems he addresses, and gave proof of extreme originality. Koenen, on his part, was like a 'technological tornado', as he used sophisticated biological techniques, proteomics and exploited in a very rational way the tools of protein design. There is no doubt that their personal value reflects the excellence of the laboratory they work in.' The event took place in Bristol, UK, and was organised by the European Vascular Genomics Network (EVGN), the first Network of excellence on cardiovascular disease funded by the European Commission under the 'Life sciences, genomics and biotechnology for health' section of the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6).
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