Project description DEENESFRITPL Oxidative stress and ageing-related pathways as the targets to prevent Parkinson's disease Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder and affects an estimated 1 % of the world's population over 60. The pathogenetic triggers of PD are mostly unknown, and current treatments only partially alleviate symptoms and do not restore normal neuronal function. The EU-funded PARNANT project will capitalise on the partners' expertise in C. elegans genetics and cell-based PD models to find the genetic pathways that mediate protection against neurodegeneration during oxidative stress and ageing. Previous studies identified 51 candidate genetic loci associated with age-related neurodegeneration in PD models and patients. Researchers aim to target these genes to alleviate the oxidative stress in the dopaminergic neurons and protect them against degeneration. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder (after Alzheimer's) associated with oxidative stress and aging, and affects an estimated 1% of people worldwide over 60 years of age. The pathogenetic triggers of neurodegenerations are largely unknown. Current therapeutic interventions only partially alleviate symptoms and do not restore normal neuronal function or prevent progressive neurodegenerations. Identifying novel molecular targets and searching for therapeutic agents that block neurodegeneration and promote neuronal restoration is a key challenge in the field. I and the Host have together identified 51 candidate genetic loci associated with age-related neurodegenerations in PD model and PD patients, respectively. These candidate genes are evolutionarily conserved in both vertebrate and invertebrate animals. I hypothesize that some of these genes, via an evolutionarily conserved signal transduction pathway, alleviate the oxidative stress in the dopaminergic neurons and protect them against degeneration. This project combines my (C. elegans genetics) and Host (cell-based PD models) expertise to identify new genetic pathways that mediate protection against neurodegenerations during oxidative stress and aging. I expect that achieved goals of the proposal will be important discovery that should lead to novel therapeutic targeting for Parkinson’s disease, and other neurodegenerative proteinopathies. My long-term goal is to become an independent scientist and establish lab to find novel therapeutic targets and strategies for the diseases associated with oxidative stress, including PD. Gained research experience together with improving my teaching, mentoring and management skills during this fellowship will help me to achieve my goals and transition myself into independence. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesneurobiologynatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsmedical and health sciencesbasic medicineneurologydementiaalzheimermedical and health sciencesbasic medicineneurologyparkinson Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2018 - Individual Fellowships Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2018 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF-EF-RI - RI – Reintegration panel Coordinator ACCADEMIA EUROPEA DI BOLZANO Net EU contribution € 183 473,28 Address VIALE DRUSO 1 39100 Bolzano Italy See on map Region Nord-Est Provincia Autonoma di Bolzano/Bozen Bolzano-Bozen Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 183 473,28
