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Neurological and psychiatric disorders are the leading contributors to the global burden of disease and remain among the most pressing challenges in modern medicine. With ageing populations, rising rates of dementia, and increasing mental health pressures driven by social and geopolitical factors, the need for effective therapies for brain disorders continues to grow. However, current treatment options remain inadequate. Leading medical organizations emphasize that future therapeutic advances must be grounded in a precise understanding of the underlying biological mechanisms.
This project addresses this unmet need by developing innovative therapeutic strategies targeting astrocytes—glial cells that play a central role in regulating brain function. While research has traditionally focused on neurons, accumulating evidence highlights astrocyte dysfunction as a common feature across multiple brain disorders, including depression, PTSD, and Alzheimer’s disease.
To tackle this challenge, the project integrates advanced molecular, functional, and systems-level approaches to achieve a comprehensive understanding of astrocyte biology in disease. Unlike conventional studies that focus on isolated cellular processes, this approach captures the full functional complexity of astrocytes, including their roles in homeostasis, energy metabolism, and synaptic regulation. This will enable the identification of novel therapeutic targets and the development of a portfolio of compounds within this emerging “target space.”
The project will be conducted within P4Health—a centre that uniquely positions astrocyte biology at the core of an integrated research and development programme. Using advanced experimental models and state-of-the-art analytical tools, the team will develop and validate new therapeutic strategies and identify translational biomarkers to monitor disease progression and treatment response.
The overarching goal is to discover and validate new therapeutic concepts for brain disorders associated with astrocyte dysfunction. By advancing the understanding of neuroglial mechanisms, the project will lay the foundation for clinical translation and the commercialization of innovative treatments.
The programme will be delivered by an international team of leading scientists with extensive expertise in neuroscience and drug development, ensuring high-quality execution and strong potential for breakthrough discoveries.
