Grant: Team Grant: Alzheimer's Disease France-Quebec

This research project is to generate critical knowledge on the molecular mechanisms underlying Alzheimer’s disease and prion diseases with potential developments of new avenues in therapeutical approaches. The improvement of amplification methods for Aß and the expected new specific antibodies are settled for direct application in blood diagnosis. This ambitious large-scale project brings together 4 experienced groups with complementary competences to explore the molecular connections between AD and prion diseases. - Partner 1 (Deslys, CEA) has developed the BSE diagnostic test most used in the world and has a strong experience of in vivo experiments and is coordinator of the European network of excellence NeuroPrion - Partner 2 (Rezaei, INRA) is expert in biophysical approaches of PrP conformation, in vitro transconformation and polymerization kinetic analysis. Moreover, he proposes a complete platform of biophysic analysis including spectroscopy in a high-secured environment. - Partner 3 (Roucou, University of Sherbrooke) has contributed in the understanding of the molecular activity of specific isoforms of the prion protein and the initiation of protein aggregation in cultured cells. - Partner 4 (Cashman, University of British Columbia)has developed the first diagnostic test for prions in blood (epitope protection), and has discovered unique protein misfolding epitopes for the prion protein and superoxide dismutase-1, with applications to diagnosis and therapy. He is Scientific Director to PrioNet Canada. The general and specific objectives of this project are relevant of three of the major research themes of this call for proposals, including: 1- The development of original animal models transgenic for both APP and PrP proteins; 2- Development of diagnostic tools through the creation of specific antibodies 3- Development of original therapies Moreover, This new area of research between France and Canada will be improved if powerful collaborative tools are put in place to enable a day-to-day communication between distant teams. Based on the success story of the NeuroPrion Network, an innovative scientific platform will be developed specifically to facilitate the exchanges between the researchers of the project.