When the systems that regulate proteins fail, the outcome can be cancer, heart disease or neurodegenerative disorders. Research by the EU-funded Nedd8Activate project offers a window into how the body clears away unwanted proteins. This knowledge could help treat protein dysregulation, and pave the way for drugs that flag disease-causing proteins for elimination.
Metastasis is responsible for over 90 % of cancer-related deaths. Yet little focus has been placed on the elusive cells responsible for spreading the disease, which circulate through the bloodstream, making identification and analysis challenging. The EU-funded SCALPEL project set out to save lives by developing a microchip device to detect and sort metastatic cells from blood samples.
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the EU. Researchers in the EU-funded Survive project examined how cells adapt to acidic conditions – a trait that can allow tumours to grow. Their findings highlight new ways to identify aggressive cancers, and point to potential new treatments to regulate acid resistance.
The thyroid gland produces many of the body’s essential hormones, but chemicals found in food, clothes and furniture can interfere with its function. Predicting the toxicity of these chemicals – especially at low doses – has proven difficult. The EU-funded SCREENED project created a model thyroid made of human cells to provide more accurate testing, as well as reduce reliance on animal studies.
The steady and debilitating progression of Parkinson’s is thought to be driven by the gradual accumulation of misfolded proteins in the brain. The EU-funded SYN-CHARGE project made the surprising discovery that these problem proteins may be targeted by peptide chains made from mirror image amino acids. The work lays the foundation for potential new therapies for several neurodegenerative diseases.
Currently there are no therapy options available for those suffering acute radiation sickness. But hope is on the horizon. A combination of carbon and pectin developed by the EU-funded NanoMed project can absorb damaging molecules generated in the body after exposure to radiation. It’s the first step towards a simple pill that can be given to those exposed to high levels of radiation.
There is an acute need for implantable devices that can report prompt and accurate data about the body’s chemistry. The EU-funded ImplantSens project developed long-term implantable biosensors for glucose monitoring, to improve the management of diabetes. The project also helped train the next generation of scientists to carry on this work.
Around half a million people in Europe rely on a cochlear implant. The EU-funded MOSAICS project is a groundbreaking initiative aimed at enhancing the lives of these patients. The collaborative initiative between researchers and a leading MedTech manufacturer has been instrumental in paving the way for improvements in cochlear implant technology and patient care.
As Europe’s population grows older, the burden of age-related diseases is rising. A promising avenue of research is understanding how protein dysfunction can drive cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. The EU-funded PhasAGE project created a research centre focused on protein phase separation, growing Europe’s research capacity to prevent and treat age-related diseases.
Mental health issues, many of which are stress-induced, are a significant healthcare challenge. The EU-funded STRESNET project developed techniques to help patients reduce the impact of stress-related memories. The work could lead to preventive interventions that increase our resilience to stress, reducing the burden of mental illness and disease.
