Florey researchers set to work on stem cell approaches for Parkinson’s disease and prenatal impact on child brain health projects
Focusing on refining stem cell-based therapy for Parkinson’s disease, and understanding the impacts of pregnancy exposures to child neurodevelopment, the projects aim to improve the lives of Australians.
Associate Professor Lachlan Thompson, Professor Clare Parish and team will investigate the use of genetically engineered stem cell lines to generate therapeutics cells to deliver a safe, predictable and effective treatment for Parkinson’s disease.
“We hope our research is another step closer to bringing new stem cell-based therapies to clinical trials, and beyond that, treatment options for patients with Parkinson’s Disease,” said Associate Professor Lachlan Thompson.
Announcing the projects funded under the MRFF for Stem Cell Therapies Mission, Minister for Health the Hon. Greg Hunt MP said that stem cells offered an important approach.
“Stem cells have the potential to treat many types of incurable diseases, bringing hope for new treatments and a cure where previously there was none,” said Minister Hunt.
With thanks to MRFF funding, Professor Anne-Louise Ponsonby and team will also be working to understand how the prenatal maternal environment can impact the risk of child neurodevelopment problems, and investigating primary prevention efforts for pregnant women.
We sincerely congratulate Florey researchers for their funding success and look forward to seeing the impact that their investigations will bring.