Research and Innovation Services : University of Dundee, Scotland, UK

Studies at the University of Dundee using patient samples have identified Siglec-9 as a novel target for the treatment of AML. A monoclonal antibody(mAb) is under development as a novel therapeutic for this condition  and other proliferative  diseases of the haematopoietic system. system. This provides an exciting new opportunity for the treatment of AML.

A team of research scientists at the Wellcome Trust Biocentre at the University of Dundee have developed specific inhibitors and activators of protein kinases in the insulin signalling pathway with the aim of identifying novel drug targets for a variety of diseases including diabetes, cancer and ischaemic injury.

In a collaborative project between the Universities of Dundee and St Andrews a series of compounds activating the p53 tumour suppressor have been identified. Data is available showing one of these compounds preferably kills tumour cells expressing normal p53 and reduces tumour growth in a xenograft model.

Researchers at the University of Dundee have identified a number of lead compounds that inhibit family 18 chitinases. Specific potent inhibitors would be of considerable interest for the development of novel therapeutics with fungicidal, insecticidal or anti-inflammatory potential. Natural inhibitors are already known but none are suitable as drug leads.