Objectif Voltage gated sodium channels (NaVs) are the primary transmembrane proteins underlying fast electrical communication in neurons of the peripheral and central nervous system (PNS and CNS). Being such an integral part of neuronal signaling, they are implicated in a number of severe diseases that have a major impact on human society. However, drugs and established therapies targeting NaVs are rare due to common off-target effects. Therefore, new NaV-blockers will be developed and used for in vivo imaging using positron emission tomography (PET). For this purpose, novel derivatives of the recently disclosed truncated batrachotoxin (tr-BTX), which represent a completely new type of NaV-blockers, will be synthesized and their ability to block different NaV isoforms (NaV1.1 to 1.8) will be tested using fluorescent assays. The most promising candidates will then be labeled using different positron emitting isotopes such as carbon-11 (11C) and fluorine-18 (18F) exploiting different radioactive half-lifes and metabolic stability. The resulting “hot-tr-BTX” will be subsequently employed in small rodent PET-scans revealing their in vivo pharmacokinetics. This novel and unique tool will provide three major immediate benefits. First, hot-tr-BTX might deliver a general imaging probe for nervous activity in the PNS, and potentially the CNS, by monitoring NaV function in vivo. Secondly, this will allow the investigation of various pain conditions and neurodegenerative diseases and link their pathogenesis to NaV-function. Thirdly, the proposed research might deliver not only new NaV-blockers as potential drug candidates, but will also provide a valuable method facilitating the development of long awaited drugs targeting NaVs for pain therapy, a goal that is currently intensely investigated by numerous European and global pharmaceutical companies. Champ scientifique natural sciencesbiological sciencesneurobiologymedical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacydrug discoverynatural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistryalkali metalsnatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsmedical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacypharmacokinetics Mots‑clés Voltage Gated Sodium Channels Pain Research Neurodegeneratie Diseases Modified Natural Products Medicinal Chemistry Positron Emission Tomography 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 Thème(s) MSCA-IF-2014-GF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-GF) Appel à propositions H2020-MSCA-IF-2014 Voir d’autres projets de cet appel Régime de financement MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF) Coordinateur KLINIKUM DER UNIVERSITAET ZU KOELN Contribution nette de l'UE € 239 860,80 Adresse Kerpener Strasse 62 50937 Koeln Allemagne Voir sur la carte Région Nordrhein-Westfalen Köln Köln, Kreisfreie Stadt Type d’activité Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Liens Contacter l’organisation Opens in new window Site web Opens in new window Participation aux programmes de R&I de l'UE Opens in new window Réseau de collaboration HORIZON Opens in new window Coût total € 239 860,80 Partenaires (1) Trier par ordre alphabétique Trier par contribution nette de l'UE Tout développer Tout réduire Partenaire Les organisations partenaires contribuent à la mise en œuvre de l’action, mais ne signent pas la convention de subvention. BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE LELAND STANFORD JUNIOR UNIVERSITY États-Unis Contribution nette de l'UE € 0,00 Adresse SERRA MALL 450 94305 2004 Stanford Voir sur la carte Type d’activité Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Liens Contacter l’organisation Opens in new window Site web Opens in new window Participation aux programmes de R&I de l'UE Opens in new window Réseau de collaboration HORIZON Opens in new window Coût total € 160 130,40