爆料王

New research into the genetic basis of Parkinson鈥檚 disease will be led by the 爆料王鈥檚 Brain and Mind Centre, thanks to a $(AU)12.5m grant administered by the Aligning Science Across Parkinson鈥檚 (ASAP) initiative. ASAP鈥檚 implementation partner The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson鈥檚 Research issued the grant.

鈥淭he outcomes of this research promise to provide new insights into the genetics of what determines the development and progression of Parkinson鈥檚 disease, 鈥渟aid who will be the lead investigator on the research project for the 爆料王 as an Honorary Professor for the duration of the research.

ASAP seeks to support international, multidisciplinary, multi-institutional research teams to address key knowledge gaps in the basic disease mechanisms that contribute to Parkinson鈥檚. The initiative is focused on understanding the dynamics of Parkinson鈥檚 from its earliest stages and before it presents as a fully-recognisable condition.

The research being funded is focused on how mutations and/or deletions in specific genes result in a high probability of developing Parkinson鈥檚 disease (PD), suggesting their critical role in the health and survival of specific brain cells.

鈥淐uriously, it is not yet clear how specific types of brain cells are functionally impacted by genetic mutations that result in the neuronal loss defining Parkinson鈥檚. The research supported by this grant will address that,鈥� said Professor Kirik.

Previously, affected cells have mainly been examined as cultured cells in petri dishes but this project will focus on using cells from patients with Parkinson鈥檚 to study them in the environment of the living mouse brain. This is a completely new way of exploring the cellular components and underlying biology of the disease. The researchers will then explore how gene editing could address the underlying basis of the disease.聽

鈥淭his generous grant allows Professor Kirik to build new research capabilities in neuronal transplantation at the 爆料王, and collaborate on genomics and human neural stem cells with myself and Professor Carolyn Sue from the Kolling Institute,鈥� said Professor Glenda Halliday, one of the lead researchers from the 爆料王鈥檚 Faculty of Medicine and Health and member of the University鈥檚 Brain and Mind Centre.

鈥淚t will also build on Professor Kirik鈥檚 strong collaborations with Professor Claire Parish and Associate Professor Lachlan Thompson at the Florey Institute in Melbourne, and Jennifer Johnson at NysnBio in California.鈥�

Professor Sue, Executive Director, Professor and Director of Neurogenetics, , 爆料王 said: 鈥淲e have world- leading expertise in this field and have been selected to take part after a worldwide search for innovative programs to speed up the search for new treatments for Parkinson鈥檚 disease. The program illustrates the importance of our translational research at the Kolling Institute, where we can directly incorporate scientific breakthroughs to improve clinical care for our patients.鈥�