It was assumed that viruses spread as independent particles called virions. The EU-funded Vis-a-Vis project used social evolution concepts to study viral transmission, showing how viral particles compete and collaborate with one another. An improved understanding of virus-virus interactions paves the way for a new generation of treatments.
Ovarian cancer is often diagnosed too late for treatments to work. The EU-funded EARLYDETECT project developed innovative screening tools capable of detecting the disease early.
This will help patients receive the therapies they need sooner, before the disease spreads, saving the lives of citizens in the EU and beyond.
Many implants can be rejected from the body if the bone doesn’t heal around them properly. The EU-funded BoneImplant project developed new ways to quantify implant status and improve their overall success rate. The research will directly improve the quality of life of EU citizens.
A rare infectious disease that can cause permanent blindness may soon have an approved treatment for the first time. A formulation of the molecule polihexanide, optimised by the EU-funded ODAK project, has been shown to cure 87 % of patients. The drug will soon be available to patients across Europe through an early access programme.
The effectiveness of photodynamic therapy is limited by the lack of oxygen in solid cancers. Now, EU-funded researchers have developed drug delivery nano-carriers to bring oxygen to the tumour site. This strategy could improve the effectiveness of this photodynamic therapy and help to save the lives of citizens affected by cancer.
Cancer and neglected tropical diseases impact millions of people every year. By identifying compounds that specifically target affected cells, EU-funded researchers have opened the door to potential new treatments. These medicines could save lives and benefit citizens both in Europe and around the world.
While researchers were busy developing a handheld device to rapidly detect biomarkers to guide the therapy in lung cancer, the pandemic struck. Realising their device could be adapted to test for coronavirus, researchers refocused their work. The result is the market’s smallest portable PCR device.
Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease, particularly dangerous to young children. With no child-safe method for treating it, millions of kids are left untreated and susceptible to anaemia, stunted growth, and impaired cognitive development. The European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) supported the research that aims to change this by providing equitable access to an effective and safe paediatric treatment for the disease.
Changes to the sugars attached to proteins have been linked with a range of human diseases, but the tools needed to detect this phenomenon have been lacking. The EU-funded GLYCOSURF project developed a new test that can detect these subtle alterations. The technique provides a robust and reliable way to provide early diagnoses.
While the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease continues to grow at an alarming rate, advances in treatment and prevention have stalled. The EU-industry funded ADAPTED project worked to better understand how the presence of a specific gene significantly increases the risk of disease. This research could open the door to new treatment for patients.
