Next generation of drugs targets for schizophrenia
Biochemistry Institute ·Romania
About this project
<p>Schizophrenia is one of the worst mental disorders that affects 1% of the entire human population. Schizophrenia is a very complex disorder with symptoms that include hallucinations, social withdrawal and IQ deterioration. The current therapy for schizophrenia consists of drugs that have limited effectiveness and, worst, induce very strong side effects. The reason for existing poor therapeutical strategy against schizophrenia is that the molecular mechanisms underlying this pathology are not yet fully understood. Therefore, our project aims to contribute to the understanding of the molecular mechanisms that take part in the onset and development of this horrendous disease. The identification of novel and previously uncharacterized genes that might to be involved in schizophrenia is one of our major objectives. The focus of this project is to discover the biological functions and contribution to schizophrenia of these three genes by employing a combination of molecular pharmacology, molecular biology, bioinformatics, and genetics. Next, we will identify chemical modulators of these three genes that can have therapeutic value in schizophrenia or other neurodevelopmental diseases.<br> The efforts undertaken to successfully achieve the objective of the project are shared by a Research Consortium that consists of experienced scientists from three institutions: Institute of Biochemistry, Romanian Academy, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway and “Cantacuzino” National Institute for Medico- Military Research and Development Romania. Institute of Biochemistry, Romanian Academy has expertise in molecular pharmacology and molecular biology concepts and methods, the Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, has a long-lasting expertise in genetics and metabolomics, whereas the “Cantacuzino Institute”, Romania, has expertise in genetic models of schizophrenia.</p>
Bilateral cooperation results
The bilateral collaboration was strengthened during the implementation of the project. The expertise of the Norwegian group at the Institute of Clinical Medicine at the University of Oslo on genome-wide associated studies was critical in the successful completion of the project by providing essential information on genetic variants of the genes under studies and the potential association of these variants with schizophrenia and depression. The bilateral collaboration was strengthened also by constant meetings in which scientific and managerial issues were analyzed. To maintain the collaborative work, applications for future funding are considered whenever the opportunities will occur.
Project partners
- University of Oslo Donor project partner· Norway
- "Cantacuzino" National Medical-Military Research-Development Institute Project partner· Romania