University of Manchester Momentum Award - Dementias

Lead Research Organisation: University of Manchester
Department Name: UNLISTED

Abstract

Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.

Technical Summary

The University of Manchester (UoM) has significant strengths in dementias research but we also have a wealth of expertise across the University in other disciplines and/or new technologies. The aim of this Momentum Award application is to unlock UoM’s untapped potential for dementias research, open up new scientific areas, encourage innovative high risk projects, and bring high level expertise and novel ideas/technologies from other disciplines (e.g. nanomedicine, materials, bioengineering, vascular biology, cell matrix biology, physics, health informatics) in to the dementia field. Through bringing new ways of thinking and new approaches across disciplinary interfaces we aim to open up new scientific avenues for dementias research, involving novel science and technology, and the creation of enabling platforms.
We request £700k from the Momentum Award, matched with £380k of internal UoM funds, to pump-prime innovative cross-disciplinary biomedical dementia research. We will allocate this funding across a small number of projects (approx. 8) with particular emphasis on bringing new approaches to dementia research aligned with our areas of key strengths in proteostasis dysfunction, neuroinflammation, neurovascular dysfunction, cognitive-clinical neuroscience and neuroimaging, and discovery of endotypes, targets and biomarkers. Priority will be given to projects that bring innovative science, new approaches and/or someone new to dementia research and which are cross-disciplinary, involve new technology and/or create enabling infrastructure. We are keen to encourage the development of high flyers (both permanent and fixed term staff). The Momentum Award will enable us to build both capacity and connectivity in dementia research in UoM through rapidly accelerating the introduction of new ways of thinking, novel approaches and new technology into our core areas of dementia research strength, which ultimately will benefit the dementia research community in the UK.

Publications

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Strangward P (2018) Targeting the IL33-NLRP3 axis improves therapy for experimental cerebral malaria. in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

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Moxon SR (2019) Blended alginate/collagen hydrogels promote neurogenesis and neuronal maturation. in Materials science & engineering. C, Materials for biological applications

 
Description Understanding the biophysical basis of functional Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy measurements in the human brain.
Amount £100,000 (GBP)
Funding ID 2453604 
Organisation Medical Research Council (MRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 09/2020 
End 03/2024
 
Description what role do microglia play in C9orf72-linked frontotemporal dementia
Amount £210,334 (GBP)
Organisation Alzheimer's Society 
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country United Kingdom
Start 09/2019 
End 09/2022
 
Description 'Effect of tACS on frequency-dependent cortical plasticity' Organisation for human brain mapping conference proceedings 2019, Rome 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact 'Effect of tACS on frequency-dependent cortical plasticity' Organisation for human brain mapping conference proceedings 2019, Rome
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description A total of four successful PPI events took place during the project. Software development work for the MyMindCheck app was completed successfully and this is an important output from the project. Laura Brown gave an oral presentation about MyMindCheck at both the IAGG-ER 2019 Congress and the British Society of Gerontology 48th Annual Conference. 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact A total of four successful PPI events took place during the project. Software development work for the MyMindCheck app was completed successfully and this is an important output from the project. Laura Brown gave an oral presentation about MyMindCheck at both the IAGG-ER 2019 Congress and the British Society of Gerontology 48th Annual Conference.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019