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13 July 2005
Researchers at Scottish Biomedical, a Glasgow-based drug discovery company, have identified a novel protein which is linked to the progression of Alzheimers disease and could pave the way towards a cure for the condition.
By comparing the levels of a particular gene in normal human brains with individuals suffering from Alzheimers, scientists were able to determine a link between the gene and lower levels of a protein which could hold the key to how the disease develops.
Dr Stephen Hammond, chief executive at Scottish Biomedical, said: This is a whole new way of looking at Alzheimers disease and we believe that a drug that activates this protein may certainly lead to an effective Alzheimers treatment within the next 10 years.
Scottish Biomedical have now developed and patented a test which will identify new drugs which will boost the activity of this protein target.
Dr Catherine Breslin, neuroscientist, said: Treatment of Alzheimers disease to date has only really ever targeted the symptoms of the condition as opposed to tackling the root cause.
Having identified that a deficiency of this protein is likely to be involved in the progression of the disease we are now in a position to start looking for compounds which can alleviate the problem.
Were still in the early stages, however it would be premature to say that this discovery will lead directly to a compound that will cure Alzheimers, but theres no doubt that it sets us on the right path.
Dr Ian McPhee, the molecular biologist who first identified the gene, will deliver a presentation on his discovery at a conference attended by some of most eminent figures in global life sciences in Glasgow this week.
BioScience 2005 will be held at Glasgow SECC between July 17-21, and as well as Dr McPhee will also include presentations from other renowned scientists from the West of Scotland life sciences community.
Professor Walter Kolch, of the University of Glasgows Institute of Biomedical and Life Sciences (IBLS), who is based at the Beatson Institute, will deliver a talk about the progress he has made in studying cellular signalling pathways. These pathways receive and process cues from the environment and other cells in order to enable proper biological responses. The malfunction of these signalling pathways contributes to cancer, inflammation and cardiovascular and other prevalent diseases. Thus, mapping these communication pathways has become a priority area for biology and medicine alike.
Other IBLS presenters at the conference include Dr Stephen Yarwood, who will discuss newly discovered mechanisms by which the signalling molecule Cyclic AMP can control disease. A large number of diseases, including cancer and asthma, are linked to improper regulation of the cyclic AMP signalling system and manipulation of cyclic AMP levels by pharmaceutical agents has proven therapeutic benefit.
Dr Sylke Muller, an infection and immunity expert, also from IBLS, has been studying the metabolic peculiarities of the protozoan parasites which cause malaria. The disease still accounts for up to two million deaths annually in the worlds poorest regions, notably Africa, largely due to the lack of vaccines and the parasites resistance to current chemotherapies Dr Mullers work concentrates on developing novel drug compounds to target these parasites.
Also at the conference, Professor Richard Cogdell, again from IBLS, will talk about his work with membrane proteins which often have irregular surfaces and, in order to function correctly, have to fit snugly into their host biological membranes. This is achieved through specific surface interactions with the membrane lipids. A novel method has been developed of tagging these lipids with 'heavy atoms' that allows them to be ' visualised ' using x-ray crystallography.
Issued by the BIG partnership on behalf of Nexxus, The West of Scotland BioScience Network.
For further information or interviews contact:
Bryan Garvie, the BIG partnership on
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