Dundee scientists receive award to develop new medicines for Parkinson’s disease
A project led by scientists at the University of Dundee’s School of Life Sciences and School of Medicine has been selected for the 2025 SPARK NS Translational award, aimed at accelerating scientific discoveries in Parkinson’s disease to reach patients
The project, entitled Targeting the Integrated Stress Response Pathway to Boost Mitophagy for Parkinson’s Disease, will receive funding over two years after being announced by the US-based, independent non-profit SPARK NS.
SPARK NS is dedicated to advancing academic discoveries in Parkinson’s from non-profit research institutions around the world into therapeutics. It is one of eight initiatives to receive funding awards, with the Dundee project the only one based outside of the US.
Principal Investigator Professor Miratul Muqit has contributed to the University’s world-leading research into Parkinson’s disease. His laboratory, based in the Medical Research Council Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit (MRC-PPU), has been responsible for revealing the secrets of how mutations in the PINK1 gene lead to the build-up of damaged mitochondria in brain cells, causing Parkinson’s. This work has led to the development of new biomarkers for diagnosing Parkinson’s and new strategies to treat the disease that are being explored by biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.
He said, “All of the research that we undertake into Parkinson’s is aimed at improving outcomes for patients. Participating in the SPARK NS program improves the odds that promising therapeutics developed with Dundee expertise can make it to market, where they can ultimately benefit patients around the world.”
The project co-Investigators include Professor Mahmood Ahmed and Dr Carine de Marcos Lousa, based at the University’s renowned Drug Discovery Unit (DDU), and Dr Glenn Masson an expert in cellular stress pathways based at the School of Medicine.
“This is an exciting opportunity to combine the wealth of expertise from the SPARK NS network with translational strengths of the DDU to transform a novel biological approach and deliver a much-needed therapy for patients.”
With a focus on Parkinson’s disease and autism, the SPARK NS program offers investigators and their research teams milestone-based funding and education in drug development and academic entrepreneurship. Additionally, the program provides mentorship from SPARK NS and industry expert advisors, as well as networking opportunities with individuals and organisations that can help their projects progress to market.
“The typical drug development journey is long and expensive with many obstacles standing in the way of lab discoveries on the path to commercialisation,” said Daria Mochly-Rosen, PhD, a SPARK NS Board Director and Chief Science and Education Advisor.
“Funding is essential, but it’s not enough. The SPARK NS program provides a high level of support at a crucial stage that prepares academic researchers for the rigor of the entire drug development process. Participating in the SPARK NS program improves the odds that promising therapeutics will make it to market where they can directly benefit patients.”