PRR Project

Summary

Parkinson´s disease (PD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder with no cure that targets middle-aged people. As the disease progresses, there is an escalation of symptoms, and patients stop responding to the current symptomatic therapies available. This project aims to develop an innovative therapy capable of delaying the speed of PD progression by "saving" the functional neurons after patients are diagnosed. The concept uses a formulation targeting NADPH oxidase 1 ( Nox1) , contributing to a pathologic mechanism that induces oxidative stress associated with PD development and progression. The vision of this project is to help patients suffering from neurological, debilitating disorders. It aims to impact the field of neurological disorders by creating knowledge and increasing its market value. It aims to inspire young students to pursue their studies.This research project aims to target specific oxidative stress in neurological disorders . The mechanistic role of the enzyme, Nox1 in PD, validated it as a therapeutic target candidate, and as a new drug candidate for neurological development, with a special focus on PD.This project´s major scientific aim is to assess this new drug candidate in preclinical models of the disease to serve as therapy to delay PD progression and to keep exploring the research opportunities of its therapeutic potential for other neurodegenerative disorders.The goals will focus on: a) full preclinical characterization of the formulation; b) Validation of the applicability of the formulation to other neurodegenerative diseases; c) Identifying novel therapeutics molecules to target Nox1 or other pathological mechanisms associated with PD.The researcher should have a Ph.D. in Biology, and academic and entrepreneurial achievements, emphasizing leadership, publication record, intellectual property contributions, funding success, and recognition within the scientific and business communities in the area of the project. Namely in pathological mechanisms in PD, on targeting oxidative stress in PD, in identifying therapeutic targets and validating therapeutic molecules for PD, have proficient expertise in preclinical, and experimental models for PD. The researcher should have a strong international research background, experience at prestigious institutions, a record of intellectual property registration, high-quality scientific publications and editorial accomplishments. The researcher should have raised financial support as PI or team member, received distinction awards, participated in preparing national and international grant applications, and collaborated and networked with national and international institutions. The researcher is expected to have a record of supervision and/or co-supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate students, organization and participation in scientific events, and in science dissemination events.Main tasks of the Principal Researcher include: 1) Conducting independent high standard research to achieve the objectives proposed; 2) Leading innovation projects; 3) Supervising Ph.D. and master students to address the proposed objectives; 4) Applying for national and international funding on a regular basis to support research in this field; 5) Teaching activities at the Faculty of Health Sciences or Faculty of Sciences up to an average maximum of 4h/week; 6) Participate in strategic tasks relevant to the mission and governance of the Host and Hiring Institutions.