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.

Researchers at the University of Dundee have shown that the human cytochrome P450, CYP2S1, is expressed in human skin with marked individuality in expression and induction following UVR or topical drug treatment. These data suggest a functional role for CYP2S1 in the metabolism of topical drugs, leading to improved therapeutics for psoriasis patients. A commercial partner is now sought for the development of this technology through either research collaboration or licensing.

Cytokines play important roles in many inflammatory and autoimmune diseases and there is a strong interest in controlling them by the use of anti-inflammatory drugs. Researchers in Dundee have discovered that certain protein kinases are important in the modulation of the cytokine TNF_. Methods have been developed for screening anti-inflammatory agents for use in drug development.

Researchers at the University of Dundee have identified three new mammalian protein families which show significance in a variety of cellular pathways. These provide drug targets for the treatment of cancer, strokes and diabetes.

University of Dundee researchers have identified and characterised a novel gene inducible by p53. Scotin is a potential target for new cancer therapies and could also form the basis of new therapeutic compounds. A commercial partner is now sought for development of this technology through either research collaboration or licensing.

Chronic wounds are a major clinical problem caused by failure in one of the cascade of events underlying the normal wound repair process. MSF is an ideal candidate for a topical therapeutic to 'kick-start' normal healing as it induces all the cellular events required for wound repair. The high expression of MSF in fetal skin and adult gingival tissue is thought to be the reason why these tissues heal so well without any scarring.

Researchers from the University of Dundee have developed a novel synbiotic formulation that promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria. A pilot trial has demonstrated the potential of the synbiotic for treatment of ulcerative colitis. This treatment provides effective therapy by promoting the body's own defence system and reducing inflammation in the bowel of patients.

A potential target for antimicrobial compounds has been developed by researchers at the University of Dundee. The highly purified target protein shows strong affinity for bacterial rRNA and is the only DEAD box protein for which a specific substrate has been identified.

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.

Researchers at the University of Dundee have identified that the process termed messenger RNA (mRNA) splicing can be targeted for the discovery of novel anti-fungal drugs. mRNA splicing is essential for the correct expression of genes in both human and pathogenic fungi. The team have identified chemical compounds that can bind to splicing proteins from the pathogenic fungus, Candida albicans. Importantly, these compounds do not inhibit the splicing process in an in vitro model of human splicing. The University is interested in seeking a collaborative partnership to progress this approach to antifungal drug discovery.

Migration Stimulating Factor (MSF) is a stress-response molecule that plays a hitherto unrecognised role in acute wound healing as a consequence of its potent stimulation of cell migration, matrix remodelling and angiogenesis. MSF bioactivities are mediated by two of its constituent IGD amino acid motifs and mimicked by small synthetic peptides containing this sequence, as well as a recently synthesised non-peptide IGD mimetic. Significantly, the bioactivities of MSF and its mimetics are critically modulated by the extracellular matrix, thereby affording the opportunity to fabricate bioengineered graft matrices containing MSF bioactives that are optimised to enhance wound healing in specific clinical indications, such as diabetic foot ulcers and pressure sores.