Three research projects involving Polish researchers have been awarded funding in a call launched by the JPND network (EU Joint Programme – Neurodegenerative Disease Research). Polish research teams will receive over PLN 3 million for research on neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease or Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
Three research projects have been recommended for funding in the call for international research projects with the aim of improving the understanding of the complex and multifactorial pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. The call entitled Large scale analysis of OMICS data for drug-target finding in neurodegenerative diseases has been launched by the JPND network, which includes the NCN.
Funding proposals could be submitted by international consortia composed of at least 3 research teams from at least 3 countries participating in the call (Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Canada, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey).
Polish research teams will be awarded a total of over PLN 3 million for their research projects.
The winning projects:
- CCAD – Deciphering the Chemoproteomics and Chemotranscriptomics of Anti-Alzheimer Drugs for Novel Druggable Target Identification and Biomarkers Development
Prof. Krzysztof Sobczak from the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań is the principal investigator of the Polish research team.
Researchers participating in the project will try to decipher molecular targets and mode of action of low molecular weight compounds that are drug candidates for Alzheimer’s disease. The consortium members have already analysed five compounds as such. In the CCAD project, researchers will also try to identify diagnostic or theragnostic clinical biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease through the analyses of big data, including data collected in the course of the project.
- PRIONOMICS: Prioritizing diagnostics and therapeutics of human prion diseases through integrative omics
Prof. Beata Katarzyna Sikorska from the Medical University of Lodz is the principal investigator of the Polish research team.
The purpose of the project is to identify the underlying mechanisms that lead to the development and progression of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD). For this purpose, new and existing data will be collected from patients with prion diseases. Researchers will put strong emphasis on identification of dysregulated pathways involved in age at onset and/or disease progression rate. They are also intending to develop new blood-based biomarkers for persons at risk and therapeutic drug targets for CJD.
- MyRIAD: (Micro)RNA and informatics approaches for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia.
Dr Agnieszka Fiszer from the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences is the principal investigator of the Polish research team.
Researchers involved the project will look for possibilities of early detention of neurodegenerative conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). For this purpose, they will analyse microRNAs (small non-coding RNAs) as non-invasive biomarkers of neurodegenerative diseases and will try to identify new therapeutical targets – genes associated with neurodegeneration. The project will enhance current understanding of neurodegenerative conditions.
Winners of JPND 2023 Call include 10 research projects evaluated and recommended for funding by the international panel of experts following a peer-review. Projects involving Polish research teams will be coordinated by the research teams from France, Germany and Ireland.
The call results are available on the website of the network
JPND Call 2023 Text