The 91天美 opened fall 2024 an internal call for Proof of Concept (PoC) funding to accelerate the commercialization of ideas emerging from research.
The funding intends for the creation of clearly defined and tested business ideas that has business potential and that can be utilised later on in the establishment of start-up companies, in licensing for an existing company, or in applications for Business Finland funding (Research to Business funding).
Following Proof of Concept ideas were granted funding:
Johanna Laakkonen: Genes as medicine: Gene correction therapy (SNVCorrect); A.I.V. Institute; 20000 鈧
In this project we will develop a novel Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs) based on CRISPR-based gene editing therapy targeting specific single nucleotide mutations. These shared mutations are known to cause cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and neurological disorders. Gene correction therapy developed within this project is expected to cure or significantly alleviate the targeted disease phenotype by restoring normal gene function.
Maykel Lopez Rodriquez: Validation of novel biological mechanism for MAFLD treatment and risk prediction; A.I.V. Institute; 20000 鈧
Metanolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is the main chronic liver disease with a current prevalnce of about 30 % of the human population. The development and progression of NAFLD result from a complex and dynamic interaction between environmental and genetic factors. The glucokinase regulatory protein is a liver specific protein that controls the access of glucose to the liver and is one of the top 3 genes associated with the risk of MAFLD and its progression to irreversible fibrosis. For over four years we have investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying the genetic association of GCKR with MAFLD. Our comprehensive data indicate that loss-of-function variants in GCKR gene induce an increase in fructose utilization by the liver that may serve as a compensatory response to impaired glucose utilization. In combination with hypercaloric, fructose rich diets, GCKR deficiency induces a strong steatosis and triggers the transition to fibrosis. In this PoC project we will validate this hypothesis and identify the most suitable actionable targets for development of therapeutic molecules. By validating out hypothesis, we also aim to establish the knowledge base of a biologically validated MAFLD risk-prediction tool that will be used for diagnostic and patient management applications.
Tarja Malm: Validation of novel biological mechanism for MAFLD treatment and risk prediction; A.I.V. Institute; 20000 鈧
This study takes advantage of the unique opportunity to measure neuronal network operational properties in brain biopsies from idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus patients obtained during the shunt surgery. A subpopulation of the patients show early Alzheimer's disease -related pathology in the brain biopsies. Here we develop novel signal analysis tools to investigate whether the waveforms measured in these biopsies are correlated with the patient pathological status and whether they could be used to predict disease progression. If successful, these waveforms could serve as a novel diagnostic tools and facilitate personalized therapy.
Wujun Xu: Virus-like nanoparticles as new platform for mRNA vaccines; Department of Technical Physics; 20000 鈧
Conventional vaccine approaches face challenges in immunity efficacy, safety, and mass production. Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines are promising alternatives to these conventional vaccines because of high potency and capacity for rapid production. However, the current approved mRNA vaccines have the critical challenges regarding low cytoplasmic delivery. The present project aims to develop virus-like mesoporous silica (VLPSi) nanoparticles as both the adjuvant and the mRNA delivery platform for next generation mRNA vaccine. The novel platform of VLPSi has large market potential in developing different type of vaccines, such as virus, cancer, and bacteria by loading mRNA coded with different antigens.
