Project description
Galectin-3-based treatment for pulmonary fibrosis
Pulmonary fibrosis is characterised by the scarring and thickening of lung tissue. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is the most common type of interstitial lung disease that impacts the connecting tissue in the lung and the alveoli. Given its extremely high mortality and lack of available cure, there is urgent need to study pathology mechanisms to advance the development of treatment. The EU-funded Pulmonary Fibrosis project will leverage the promising effect of Galectin-3 in slowing IPF progression. The project aims to optimise the nebulisation of a novel Galectin-3 inhibitory drug (TD139) hydrogel treatment using the bleomycin-induced preclinical model. The study is complemented by genomic analysis of single-cell RNA trajectories and tissue glycosylation patterns for disease correlation.
Objective
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) accounts for a progressive pathology with extremely high mortality and no cure available. There is a need to study pathology mechanisms for efficient treatments development. Galectin-3 (Gal-3) has shown promising effects in slowing down IPF. In this project, I will optimise nebulisation of a novel Gal-3 inhibitory drug (TD139) hydrogel treatment in bleomycin-induced PF mice model, perform an exhaustive genomic analysis to assess single-cell RNA trajectories during pathology recovery, and analyse tissue glycosylation patters for disease correlation. All this will allow for information on diseases and healing mechanisms to development efficient biomaterials treatments and contribute to the 3rd Sustainable Development Goal of the United Nations “Good Health and Well-Being” for all. I will perform nebulisation studies during secondment in specialised aerosol drug delivery industry (Aerogen®/John Power) (Ireland), in vivo model and exhaustive genomic analysis during outgoing phase in IPF genomic expert lab (Prof Kaminski) at PCCSM, Yale School of Medicine (US), and thorough lectin microarray analysis during incoming phase in glycolbiologist and biomaterials expert lab (Prof Pandit) at CÚRAM, NUI Galway (Ireland). The high expertise of the supervisors, my expertise in biomaterials, the highly qualified and prestigious hosts infrastructures and the intersectoral, international and interdisciplinary aspects of the action will promote my skills for eligibility for the EU Research Council Starting Grant. This will allow me to stablish a Biomaterial Therapies Critical Mass for Respiratory Diseases (RD) in EU and comply with the EU Respiratory Society objective to promote scientific excellence to alleviate suffering of RD. In addition, I will work in a detailed career development plan to promote translation, research integrity, inclusion of minorities, audience engagement and gender dimension for a more impactful and representative research.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)Coordinator
H91 Galway
Ireland