22.12.10 AriSLA Call 2010 - winner projects
AriSLA Call for Research Proposals 2010 Winner Projects
Few months after our second Call for Research Projects is closed, AriSLA
is glad to announce the winner projects that will be supported by AriSLA
contribution of around 1 million euro. Funded projects have been chosen by
a peer-review evaluation process that engaged 24 world experts. Adopted
methodology granting the impartiality and transparency of the procedure,
finally identified eight projects that were judged as excellent by
International Scientific Committee.
More than 160 reseearchers from all over Italy participated to the Call
2010 by submitting overall 80 projects proposals, 35 of which were Full
grant applications (15 falling into basic research and 20 to translational
research) and 45 Pilot grants (34 basic research and 11 translational
research). Approved financial contribution for individual projects vary
from 55.000 to 280.000 euro, comprising the project duration between 12
and 36 months.
Short summary of AriSLA Call 2010 winner projects:
iPSALS - iPS derived neural stem cells for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis:
The aim of this study is to develop and assess the cell based therapy for
ALS. In addition to optimization of protocols for obtaining the most
suitable cells and definition of optimal transplantation technology,
patient derived cells will be tested as a source of autologous transplants
as well as an important in vitro disease model for basic research and
preclinical screenings of putative therapeutic compounds.
Principal Investigator: Giacomo Comi – Milan University,
Neurological Sciences Department
ALSMNDTDP – 43 - Molecular characterization of TDP-43 function in vivo and
the mechanisms that lead to motoneuron disease in Drosophila models of ALS
The envisaged outcome of this project is an elucidation of
neurodegeneration mechanisms related to physiological and pathological
role of TDP-43. Work plan comprises also derivation of an animal model
that reproduces accurately behavioural and molecular aspects of human
disease, as well as definition of potential therapeutic targets and
disease biomarkers that could contribute to development of novel
diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for ALS.
Principal Investigator: Fabian Feiguin – ICGEB, International Centre for
Genetic Engineering and Boptechnology
Partner 1: Ferdiando DiCunto – Turin University, Molecular Biology Center
EPOSS - ErythroPOietin in ALS: a Study of dose-finding and Safety
Overall goal of this study is assessment of transferability of
erythropoietin to ALS patients therapy. Although the aim of the present
project is not to determine the efficacy of the drug, it is probable that
its results will provide important information for the future Phase III
Trial, and will promote the participation of pharmaceutical companies to
the drug development. The study is also aimed at definition of novel
biomarkers that would be useful for monitoring of a disease progression
and of treatment outcome in ALS patients.
Principal Investigator: Giuseppe Lauria – IRCCS Fondazione “Carlo Besta”
Neurological Institute, Neuromuscolar Diseases Unit, Milan
Partner 1: Gabriele Mora – Fondazione Salvatore Maugeri IRCCS Scientific
Institute, Milan
Partner 2: Daniele Laszlo – Europena Institute of Oncologym Hematooncology
Division, Milan
TDP43-ASSEMBLY - Study of the aggregation process of TDP43 and analysis of the ability of the resulting aggregates to cause neuronal dysfunction
This study will contribute to unveil the molecular and biological basis of
neuronal injury induced by TDP-43 aggregation, improving thus overall
understanding of main pathological mechanisms in ALS. Definition of
proteic species responsible of motoneuronal stress and death during ALS
pathogenesis and development of approaches aimed to interfere with these
toxic species formation, is likely to bring to identification of novel
targets and, consequently, novel therapeutic strategies of high relevance
for the majority of sporadic ALS cases.
Principal Investigator: Fabrizio Chiti – Florence University
REDISALS - RNA editing landscape of motor neurons in sporadic ALS by massive transcriptome sequencing
The project addressed the role and importance of altered RNA metabolism in
ALS pathogenesis. The envisaged results comprise the identification of new
biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets, as well as providing hints
to the basic ALS pathogenetic mechanisms.
Principal Investigator: Graziano Pesole – CNR – IBBE, Institute of
Biomembranes and Bioenergy
Partner 1: Angela Gallo – IRCCS-OPGB Pediatric Hospital “Bambino Gesù”,
Rome
PETALS II - Positron Emission Tomography and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: study of Cannabinoid subtype 2 receptor expression in ALS experimental model
This study will tend to identify the molecole with a major affinity for a
specific receptor, expressed as a marker of neuroinflammation, that are
also capable of crossing blood brain barrier and penetrate the central
nervous system. These radio labeled markers provide sensitive tools for
monitoring the disease progression in ALS, as well as in other
neurodegenerative disorders, and facilitate the development and screening
of new targeted therapeutic agents.
Principal Investigator: Piero Salvadori – CNR Institute for Clinical
Physiology
Partner 1: Clementina Manera – Pisa University, Faculty of Pharmacy
Partner 2: Vincenzo Di Marzo – CNR Institute for Molecolar Chemistry
MiRALS - Unravelling the impact of microRNAs on ALS pathogenesis
This project aims at improving our understanding of basic molecular
mechanisms that underline familiar ALS pathogenesis and elucidate the role
of miRNA networks in neurodegeneration. In particular, this study is
targeted to the identification of specific ALS-related molecules that
might constitute novel diagnostic and therapeutic targets.
Principal Investigator: Silvia Barabino – Milan Bicocca University,
Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences
HMGB1 and ALS - Role of HMGB1 in ALS disease progression
This study is specifically aimed at determining the potential of HMGB1
protein to counteract ALS symptoms by regulating the expression of
miRNA2066 in sceletric muscle. Identification of signaling pathways and
specific molecules that affect the survival and maintenance of motoneurons
and axonal growth can have potential impact on definition of new
therapeutic targets and/or agents in ALS
Principal Investigator: Capogrossi Colognesi Maurizio-Provincia Italiana
C.F.I.C
