With the aim of contributing to the fight against Alzheimer’s the student interdisciplinary team of the University of Patras Patras With iGEM 2024 is packing her bags for Paris, where she will participate, October 23-26, in the International Synthetic Biology Competition.
The home team will compete among 300 research teams from around the world presenting the “Lethe” project, which focuses on the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
The team consists of the students of the University of Patras: Rapti Afroditis, Marianna Lampropoulou, Michael Diamantakis, Lesi Matilda, Rozou Vasiliki, Douka Maria, Kouri Maria, Alkis Hatzopoulos, Ioannis Grigoropoulos, Dimitra Sfyri, Seretis Stylianos, Michael Adamopoulos.
“With the innovative use of exosomes and microRNA-195, our team aims to reduce tau protein phosphorylation, which worsens disease progression. In other words, in order to be understood, we dealt with the second cause of the disease, which has not been widely investigated” the 4th year student of the Department of Biology of the University of Patras, Vasiliki Rozou, told us on behalf of the team.
Purpose of the team is to offer a sustainable therapeutic approach that will improve the quality of life of patients and by extension their relatives.
To our question how the group was formed and how it decided to deal with the specific issue Mrs. Rose told us:
“Our team was founded by the previous student interdisciplinary team of the University of Patras Patras Med iGEM. The call for interest was made and those of us who signed up went through an interview and then the selection was made. Last year’s team acted as our mentors. We consult her about many things. We are students from different departments of the University.”
However, Ms. Rozou explains, the choice of the topic was made as follows: “From the moment our team was created we started doing intensive study and research to see where there is a gap. We usually deal with medical and healing issues. So we chose the specific topic and after a lot of research we focused on the specific therapeutic gap. In all of this we had the guidance and support of two professors from the Chemistry Department of Spyridon Mourtas and Zoe Piperigou. They gave us the protocols and we started the laboratory study. And because this requires money, we found funding from our University and private companies.”
The team succeeded in making a patent. Ms. Rozou describes: “With the innovative patent we made we achieve the best possible transfer of the anti-Alzheimer’s drug to the brain.”
GEM
The iGEM competition in Paris offers a global platform that encourages interdisciplinary collaboration, highlighting new scientific solutions that combine innovation with social, ethical and environmental issues. With their work, they seek to leave a positive mark by combining pioneering research with meaningful social action and actively contribute to solving global health problems.
TARGET
“The goal of our participation in this competition is to win the gold medal and of course to enjoy the experience of participating in such an event. Many thanks to those who supported us, the University, the companies and the “Frontizzo” Association.
It is worth noting that this group is not limited to research only. Through the actions of social content, it emphasizes informing and raising awareness of society about Alzheimer’s disease, as well as about Synthetic Biology and its benefits, it organizes workshops, speeches and events, collaborating with schools, local communities and institutions, such as Non-profit organization “Frontiza” Foundation. Moreover, “P” spotted her at the recent “Care” event for dementia, where the interdisciplinary student team of the University of Patras, Patras Med iGEM 2024, gave an excellent presentation.
#interdisciplinary #team #University #Patras #Patras #Med #iGEM #leaves #international #competition #Paris
