Lymphangiogenomics
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Lymphangiogenomics |
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Press Release |
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University of Helsinki
University Communications
August 24, 2004
University of Helsinki to coordinate two large EU research projects
The European
Union has granted nearly
25 M€ to two large-scale interdisciplinary research projects coordinated
by the University of Helsinki. The project leaders are
professor Raimo Tuominen
from the UH’s Faculty of Pharmacy and Academy
Professor Kari Alitalo from
UH’s Molecular and Cancer
Biology Laboratory. Both projects are part of
the European Commission´s Sixth Framework Programme for Life
Sciences, Genomics, and Biotechnology for Health.
Protein kinases are promising drug
targets
The integrated research project
lead by professor Tuominen carrying out basic
research into Protein kinases (PKs) was granted over
15 M€.
The project is the
largest in the 6th framework programme (FP6’s) for Life sciences,
genomics and biotechnology for health.
Protein kinases belong to the largest single family of enzymes, accounting for almost 2% of the proteins encoded by the human genome. Recent success in drug discovery demonstrates that PKs are excellent drug targets. The objectives of the research project are to do basic research on protein kinases and to develop PK inhibitors and activators by designing and screening natural compounds from the European biosphere and compounds from chemical libraries.
The research consortium combines
European expertise on basic research on PKs and rational drug discovery,
in order to develop new drug candidates for major diseases like cancer,
autoimmune disorders, vascular diseases and degenerative brain diseases.
The consortium
consists of 23 partners from 11 countries.
Lymphatic vasculature has an
essential role in metastasis of cancer
The
biomedical research project
lead by Academyprofessor Alitalo was granted 9 M€. The project
aims at a better understanding of the growth and
function of the lymphatic vasculature, with a strong emphasis on the
discovery of novel regulatory agents.
The lymphatic vasculature is
essential for the maintenance of tissue fluid balance and has an
essential role in various pathological conditions such as metastasis of
cancer. Recent results suggest that inhibition of lymphatic vessel
growth in tumors can block metastasis. Novel discoveries in the field
can also be applied to the development of new pharmaceuticals for
inflammatory and heart diseases.
The project
encompasses European specialists on genetics, genome research, cancer
research, developmental biology, cardiovascular research, pathology and
biotechnology and combines 11 academic research institutes and two
companies from eight European countries.
The 6th framework
programme (FP6) is the frame for the EU
activities in the field of science, research and innovation. With a
budget of 17.5 billion euros for the years 2002 - 2006 it represents
about 4 to 5 percent of the overall expenditure on RTD in EU Member
States.
Further details
Prof. Raimo K. Tuominen, tel.
+358-9-191 59469, e-mail:
raimo.tuominen(at)helsinki.fi
Professor
Kari Alitalo, MD, PhD, Tel: +358-9-1912 5511, e-mail:
kari.alitalo(at)Helsinki.Fi
Further information on the 6th framework programme: http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/fp6/index_en.html
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