The Research Council of Finland has granted a total of approximately 2.1€ million in new Academy Project and Academy Research Fellow funding to researchers within the DrugTech research community. The Research Council for Biosciences, Health and the Environment granted Academy Research Fellow funding to Senior Researcher Prasanthi Medarametla and Academy Project funding to Associate Professor Kristiina Huttunen. The Research Council for Natural Sciences and Engineering granted Academy Research Fellow funding to Senior Researcher Tatu Pantsar and Academy Project funding to Professor Janne Jänis.
Antibiotics without the risk of resistance
Senior Researcher Prasanthi Medarametla, Targeting Virulence through Isocitrate Lyase: A Resistance-Proof Strategy for Antibacterial Discovery (TAVIR), 616,467 €
Antimicrobial resistance is a growing threat to global health. Pseudomonas is one of the multi-drug resistance pathogens causing severe infections in conditions such as cystic fibrosis. In this project, we will investigate one of the new strategies to tackle drug resistance by targeting the bacteria's ability to cause disease (virulence) rather than killing it. This is achieved by targeting a critical protein, Isocitrate lyase (ICL), responsible for the Pseudomonas survival in the lungs during chronic infections. Here, state-of-the-art computational approaches will be used to identify new inhibitors of ICL. Further, these will be evaluated for their ability to reduce the virulence of Pseudomonas. Thus, by designing compounds that block ICL, we aim to reduce the pathogenicity, paving the way for a new class of resistance-proof antibacterial treatments. This research will be conducted at University of Eastern Finland in collaboration with University of Cambridge.
Mitochondrial transport proteins as a tool for drug delivery to the brain
Associate Professor Kristiina Huttunen, Utilization of Membrane Transporters for Multilevel Targeted Drug Delivery (Brain-Mito-Delivery) 600,000 euros.
Improper drug delivery to the target site, such as into the mitochondria, is still one of the greatest challenges in today's drug discovery and development, preventing candidate drugs from advancing to clinical use. Mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cells, and their malfunction generates oxidative stress to cells, which in turn supports the progression of a variety of human diseases, including many brain diseases. In this project, the aim is to identify mitochondrial membrane transporter expression and function in different brain cell types, which is not yet well understood. Together with computer-aided drug design, novel mitochondrial transporter-utilizing prodrugs are then developed, with the aims of delivering active drugs 1) across the blood-brain barrier, 2) into the brain parenchymal cells, such as neurons, and 3) into mitochondria in the target cells. Therefore, the project aims to produce more efficient and safer drugs to treat and prevent brain diseases in the future.
Water molecules play a role in drug resistance and drug binding
Senior Researcher Tatu Pantsar, SOLUTION: Investigation of the role of water in drug resistance and inhibitor binding, 666,472 €
Water is essential for life. In human body, about 99% of all existing molecules are water molecules. Water molecules enable the carefully regulated functions in cells, including molecular interactions between distinct components. Water plays a significant role also in drug molecule binding to its target protein. In this project, we will investigate the role of water molecules related to drug resistance and selectivity. This study examines the behaviour and movements of water molecules in drug binding pockets by simulations conducted in supercomputer environment. We will also design and make new inhibitor drug molecules based on the information gained from the simulations. The results of this research project can support the design of new safer drugs and provide guidance for personalised medicine options, especially for cancer patients.
Emissions from plastic combustion remain a partly unknown health risk
Professor Janne Jänis, Plastic-derived emerging aerosol pollutants from fires, 219,100 €
Plastic-derived emerging organic pollutants (PEOP), including micro- and nanoplastics and specific chemicals, pose global threats to ecosystems and human health. The overall picture of these emerging pollutants is limited, as measurement methods are still evolving to accurately trace their abundance in the environment. This research hypothesizes that incomplete burning of plastics, such as accidental fires and residential burning of waste, is a major source of PEOP into the atmosphere and significantly influences ambient air respiratory and endocrine toxicity. PLASTER aims at assessing how plastic burning influences particulate matter and specifically PEOP in atmosphere, and their health-related toxicological properties. We will carry out comprehensive laboratory and field studies and utilize novel chemical analysis methods and biological models to establish databases of emissions from plastic fires and their toxicities, and improved methodologies for monitoring of PEOP in air.
Researchers' contact details: UEF Connect