Advanced Stem Cell Training Network (ASCTN), a European research consortium , has successfully bid for over €3,700,000 in funding from the European Union to create and exploit advanced cellular models of neurological disorders – notably Parkinson´s, Huntington´s and Demyelination disease – which are caused by acute or progressive loss of cells in the brain, said Plasticell Ltd, a developer of stem cell technologies and regenerative medicines, in which the company is a partner organisation
“Neurodegeneration is a hallmark of many incurable diseases that are fast becoming major global health problems as the world’s elderly population continues to increase,” said Dr Yen Choo, founder and Executive Chairman of Plasticell. “Discovering effective treatments for these conditions will require a deeper understanding of disease mechanisms, as well as more effective drug screening strategies, both of which will benefit from better cellular models of neurodegeneration.”
Alongside Plasticell, the research Network also comprises: the Karolinska Institute, San Raffaele Hospital, Cardiff University, University of Barcelona, Autonomous University of Madrid, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia, Technical University of Dresden and Poietis SA. ASCTN is funded by the European Union Horizon 2020 Programme (H2020-MSCA-ITN-2018) under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Initial Training Network and Grant Agreement No. 813851.