SMA Europe awards new research grants 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.