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DC1 Projects

The first iteration of the Dementia Consortium completed six projects and outcomes from these have demonstrated impact through scientific publications, conference presentations, and further funding and collaborations.

Modulation of CSF1R: a promising strategy to control neuroinflammati

The contribution of ARUK, CRO and Industry partners was optimal. We were lucky to form a very productive collaboration… As a collaboration with a translational objective, this has been the most positive and productive experience I’ve had so far.
The contribution of ARUK, CRO and Industry partners was optimal. We were lucky to form a very productive collaboration… As a collaboration with a translational objective, this has been the most positive and productive experience I’ve had so far.

Dr Diego Gomez-Nicola, University of Southampton

The project aimed to develop and optimise small molecule inhibitors and antibodies to block the interaction between CSFR1 and its ligand IL34. This project validated IL34 as a target for controlling microglial proliferation in the brain and demonstrated that targeting IL34, and not CSF1R appeared to be safer in preclinical models. The project also validated a series of assays for the identification of inhibitors of the IL-34:CSF1R interaction.

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ALS disease models and therapeutic drug screen

The Dementia Consortium has been essential in bringing my academic research to a level that would now be considered by companies working in early drug discovery. This has been done not only by providing the funding but as importantly creating and facilitating a network of collaborators that have contributed with ideas, expertise and project management
The Dementia Consortium has been essential in bringing my academic research to a level that would now be considered by companies working in early drug discovery. This has been done not only by providing the funding but as importantly creating and facilitating a network of collaborators that have contributed with ideas, expertise and project management

Dr Marco Baralle, International Centre for Genetics Engineering and Biotechnology, Italy

The aim of the project was to identify compounds that reduce or clear aggregates of TDP-43 and restore TDP-43 function. A series of novel small molecule compounds were identified that prevented TDP43 inclusions and LOF, relevant for a number of disorders including FTD/ALS and Alzheimer’s disease.

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The role of P2Y6R in mice in cognition, neuronal loss and tauopathy

The Dementia Consortium project provided…invaluable expertise and advice in translation and drug development…[the] hands-on expertise of the Dementia Consortium team was invaluable
The Dementia Consortium project provided…invaluable expertise and advice in translation and drug development…[the] hands-on expertise of the Dementia Consortium team was invaluable

Prof Guy Brown, University of Cambridge

The aims of this project were to examine the role and inhibition of the P2Y6 receptor expressed in microglia. Target validation of the P2Y6R as a novel dementia drug target, relevant to human disease with a critical role in excessive neuronal phagocytosis during neurodegeneration.

Developing novel small molecules as effective inhibitors of the NLRP3 inflammasome

The grant employed a postdoc in Manchester for a short period. We were able to achieve a publication which helps career development
The grant employed a postdoc in Manchester for a short period. We were able to achieve a publication which helps career development

Prof David Brough, University of Manchester

The aim of this project was to test and optimise novel small molecule inhibitors of the NLRP3 inflammasome. The project developed and characterised a small molecule tool kit/assay for interrogating and validating NLRP3 inflammasome-dependent responses in cells.

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