New EU research project REMIX joins forces between universities’ research facilities and Khondrion
New EU research initiative REMIX aims to combine the skills of European research groups to provide strategic training of the next generation of scientists through a programme that will progress in the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms and pathways that regulate mitochondrial gene expression.
Nijmegen, 17th May 2016 ─ REMIX project (REgulation of MItochondrial gene eXpression) is an Innovation Training Network funded under the highly competitive Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action of the European Commission. The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action ITN is tendered by the European Commission as part of Horizon 2020, the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. The REMIX-project will receive a total of 3.9 million euros in funding over the next four years. The key aim of the REMIX network is to combine the skills of European research groups to strategically train the next generation of scientists in a program that will contribute to elucidating the molecular mechanisms and pathways that regulate mitochondrial gene expression.
Mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell – and they play an important role in aging processes and associated diseases like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and type 2 diabetes. “Despite the fact that these diseases are quite common, it is surprising that our understanding of the mechanisms governing mitochondrial gene expression and its associated pathologies remain superficial and therapeutic interventions unexplored,” says Aleksandra Trifunovic, Principal Investigator at the Cluster of Excellence CECAD and coordinator of REMIX. “The complex nature of mitochondrial gene expression that relies on two different genomes calls for a multidisciplinary approach in which different teams of researchers join forces. We are happy to have the opportunity to further develop this research in the next four years.” Besides Aleksandra Trifunovic, other leading experts in the field of mitochondrial function are active in the REMIX network, including Thomas Langer and Elena Rugarli (both CECAD PIs), James Stewart (Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing – MPI AGE) and researchers from six other leading European universities together with Khondrion.
In REMIX Khondrion will study and characterize the oxidative profile of mitochondrial proteins involved in mtDNA maintenance in different patient-derived cell lines and screen Khondrion’s library for compounds that can selectively modulate mtDNA machinery activity.
About Khondrion
Khondrion is an innovative Dutch pharmaceutical company focusing on developing small molecule therapeutics for mitochondrial (-related) diseases. The potential of several lead compounds to serve as new treatment modalities for mitochondrial disease is currently being explored. Khondrion’s lead compound KH176 has been granted Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) for Leigh disease and MELAS syndrome in Europe and for all inherited mitochondrial respiratory chain disorders in the USA. Khondrion has established collaborations with patient organizations, patient advocacy groups and university research groups around the world as well as with small, medium and large enterprises. Khondrion, a privately held pharmaceutical company, has established a strong intellectual property position protecting its emerging product portfolio through the filing of multiple broad patent applications. For more information, please visit www.khondrion.com
