Grant: Collaborative Research and Development Grants

The Laboratory of Molecular Oncology at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) and under the direction of Professor Borhane Annabi is partnering with AngioChem a Montreal-based company reknown for its unique synthetic strategies applicable to breakthrough pharmacological agents that are optimized to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Such technology will help to better understand molecular and cellular processes involved in central nervous system and brain-related disorders. The current project will investigate the molecular mechanisms involved in intracellular low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP)-1 receptor-dependent and independent pathways. Such pathways open up a wide variety of original and sophisticated molecular strategies to explore new and original molecular and cellular processes involved in processes such as angiogenesis and impact of hypoxia (low oxygen levels) on cells and tissues. The current proposed collaborative project is designed to identify and investigate the alternate receptors and/or interacting molecular partners that could be involved in the transport of Angiopeps. This will result in an increased fundamental understanding of the LRP-1 transport mechanisms that will enable novel chemical entities to target critical cellular processes such as those involved in uncontrolled carcinogenic cell proliferation, cell survival, as well as those mechanisms involved in tumour-associated angiogenesis, and in brain-related disorders. The expected benefits will help to accrue to Canadian industry and to UQAM, the targeted areas under investigation in the described joint research and development activities are expected to leverage a breakthrough platform technology enabling physiological transport of bioactive molecules across the BBB. As such, AngioChem currently positions itself as the leader in this field. Academically, the direct benefits to UQAM include valuable training opportunities, increased employment as well as anchoring exciting industrial partnerships to the Montreal region. Scientifically, UQAM's Faculty of Sciences will enormously benefit of increased visibility from such an active partnership.