Progranulin as a potential therapeutic agent for neurodegeneration

Degenerative brain diseases, such as Alzheimers disease and Parkinsons disease remain incurable despite intense research over decades. Progranulin, a protein that was identified and characterized in our laboratories and it has been shown to inhibit the development of Parkinsons-like and Alzheimers-like symptoms in experimental models in mice by the partner organization Neurodyn. We believe that it has similar potential to forestall brain diseases in humans. A roadblock towards this goal is the complexity of the progranulin molecule. Our goal is to design simplified forms of progranulin, that retain its therapeutic potential, but which may be better adapted as the source of novel biologically-based drugs to combat brain disease.

Faculty Supervisor:

Andrew Bateman

Student:

Babykumari Chitramuthu

Partner:

Neurodyn Life Sciences Inc

Discipline:

Medicine

Sector:

Medical devices

University:

Program: