Academic CentreProject agreement number: KC-L-2017/5, Project ID Nr. KC-PI-2020/38
The project is implemented by: Institute of Biology, University of Latvia
Project implementation deadline: April 1, 2020 - September 30, 2020
Total budget: 27 777.78 EUR Amount of support financing (90%): EUR 25,000.00 LU financing share (10%): 2 777.78 EUR
Scientific supervisort: Dr. Pāvels Semjonovs, Leading Researcher (Institute of Biology, University of Latvia)
Administrative manager: Jānis Čakste, leading expert (Institute of Biology, University of Latvia)
Project goal: to evaluate the possibilities of industrial production of biodegradable materials from renewable raw materials, thus ensuring efficient use of resources and wider implementation of the principles of circular economy. Main results of the project: In order to assess the basic stages and tasks of biopolymer production technology development, as well as to define the most promising product to be further developed and its market potential, a feasibility study will be carried out during the project. According to the results of the feasibility study, a commercialization strategy will be developed for further technology development and product marketing. In order to ensure the increase of the level of development of biopolymer technology and commercialization opportunities to the scale of industrial production, a project application for the financing of the second stage will be developed.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a lifelong demyelinating disease, an autoimmune disorder triggered in genetically predisposed subjects by environmental factors. Ubiquitin proteasome system is important in immunity; its deregulation together with NO overproduction can influence MS development and progression. Proteasomes have been identified as major autoantigens in MS patients, and furthermore, plasma proteasome levels of patients with autoimmune diseases are often elevated. We have previously found an association between several proteasome gene polymorphisms and MS and treatment efficiency.
The aim of the project is to produce new genetic, genomic and clinical knowledge of proteasome role in the pathogenesis of MS and to develop know-how approaches for medical and pharmacogenomics applications.
During the implementation of the project, we studied the relationship of polymorphisms with MS and interferon treatment, the functionality of individual variations and multivariate genetic constructs, the potential of poly-A repeat in epigenetic regulation of genes, expression of proteasome genes in the blood of MS patients and healthy people, proteasome and NO plasma concentrations.
In the long term, the implementation of the project, accompanied by the transfer of knowledge and know-how, could contribute to the development of MS diagnostics based on proteasomes and increased effectiveness of therapy.