SMA Europe awards new research grants through its 8th call for research proposals
SMA research receives vital funds from SMA Europe. Based on the recommendations received by its Scientific Advisory Board, SMA Europe awarded a total of 473,000 Euros to 5 cutting-edge SMA research projects through its 8th Call for Research Proposals.
The Scientific Advisory Board reviewed and scored 18 very high level SMA research proposals. As only 26% could be funded, hard decisions had to be made and the following 5 were recommended for funding:
- Determining the temporal, spatial and molecular signature of hypoxia in spinal muscular atrophy – Professor Simon Parson – 109,293 EUR over 2 years – University of Aberdeen, UK.
- Seeking small molecules that stabilise protein RNA interactions to cure Spinal Muscular Atrophy – Professor Frédéric Allain – 150,000 Euros over 2 years – ETH Zurich – Switzerland.
- Regulation of the Survival Motor Neuron (SMN) protein by acetylation and its importance in snRNP biogenesis and molecular assembly of cajal bodies – Dr. Olga Tapia – ~40,000 Euros over 1 year – University of Cantabria, Spain.
- The ROCK-ERK signalling network in SMA – mediator of neurodegeneration and SMN independent treatment target – Dr. Niko Hensel – 100,000 Euros over 2 years – Hannover Medical School – Germany.
- Role of a redox sensor in nuclear organisation and its implication in spinal muscular atrophy – Dr. Suzie Lefebvre – 73,000 Euros over 2 years – Université Paris Descartes, France
SMA Europe looks forward to the initiation of these projects.