Descripción del proyecto
Una plataforma innovadora de cribado de fármacos potenciadores de la neurogénesis adulta
Promover la neurogénesis adulta podría rejuvenecer los circuitos neuronales y restaurar las funciones cognitivas y la calidad de vida de los ancianos. Los modelos de alto rendimiento, como la mosca del vinagre («Drosophila melanogaster»), cuyas rutas genéticas están conservadas y son fáciles de rastrear, pueden agilizar la identificación de mecanismos fisiológicos y fármacos para promover la neurogénesis adulta. En el proyecto Droscreeneuro, financiado por las acciones Marie Skłodowska-Curie, se caracterizará la neurogénesis adulta a lo largo de la vida de «D. melanogaster» y se identificarán posibles fármacos que promuevan la neurogénesis en el cerebro adulto «in vivo», así como en células madre humanas. A continuación, se analizarán los promotores identificados de la regeneración neuronal en colaboración con una empresa de descubrimiento aplicable de fármacos. Droscreeneuro representa un enfoque innovador y de relevancia traslacional centrado en el desarrollo de terapias regenerativas para afecciones neurodegenerativas relacionadas con el envejecimiento.
Objetivo
Ensuring a healthy lifespan in an increasingly ageing society represents a priority and a challenge for research and innovation. Particularly, irreversible neurodegenerative conditions are becoming hallmarks in the elderly, imposing a severe socioeconomic burden and ultimately threatening quality of life. Promoting adult neurogenesis has the potential to rejuvenate neural circuits restoring cognitive functions. High-throughput models of adult neurogenesis can expedite the identification of mechanisms and compounds for the development of neuro-regenerative therapies. I have evidence for physiologic and drug-induced adult neurogenesis in the genetically conserved and highly tractable model Drosophila melanogaster. Here, I aim to i) characterize adult neurogenesis across Drosophilas lifespan; ii) identify drugs promoting neurogenesis in ageing in vivo, using the Drosophila olfactory circuit as an experimental platform; iii) test primary drug hits for their potential to promote neurogenesis on hiPSC-NSC in vitro (Host: UGOE, DE; Secondments: MPI-CE, DE; Weizmann, IL; DZNE, DE). Next, during a Non-academic placement in a translational drug discovery company, I aim to profile prioritized hits promoting neuronal regeneration (LDC, DE). My unique background in chemical engineering and biosciences will be pivotal to successfully complete this project. By leveraging state-of-the-art tools and support from experts in the field, Droscreeneuro represents an innovative, ambitious, and translationally-relevant approach towards the development of regenerative therapies aimed at counteracting age-related neurodegenerative diseases. Dissemination of results between specialized and general audiences will make science open to all. Ultimately, exposure to high-quality training in the academic and non-academic sectors will substantially enhance my skills and career perspectives, to conduct research in academia and industry to promote society's wellbeing.
Palabras clave
Programa(s)
- HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Main Programme
Régimen de financiación
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European FellowshipsCoordinador
37073 Gottingen
Alemania