A team led by the Institut de Neurociències at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (INc-UAB) managed to reduce chronic inflammation associated with multiple sclerosis in mice thanks to the administration of a type of lipid that mediates inflammation. The team found that these types of mediator substances, responsible for resolving the inflammatory process when it is no longer beneficial, are minimized in people with multiple sclerosis as well as in animal models of the disease. The use of these mediators could become a good strategy for the treatment of this autoimmune disease.
The UAB participated with 191 projects in the European Union’s Horizon 2020 programme, and received a total of 85.89 million euros in funding according to the EC Data Dashboard.
On 31 March, the Auditorium of the UAB Faculty of Arts & Humanities hosted the first TEDx event organised by the UAB. Nine members of the university community participated with talks on "Innovative Thinking" in the TEDxUABarcelona event hosted by entrepreneur and UAB alumnus Víctor Puig.
On 6 April, the UAB will be holding an institutional event entitled "Vent de l'est: guerra i pau als confins d'Europa" [Wind From the East: war and peace on the edges of Europe], in which members of the university community from Serbia, Rumania, Russia and Ukraine will share their impressions on the conflict currently taking place in Ukraine. The event will begin at 1 p.m. at the Journals Hall of the Humanities Library, at the Faculty of Arts & Humanities.
A recent work of the UAB, in collaboration with the ALBA Synchrotron, has studied the side effects of typical tooth whitening treatments, based on oxidation, compared to a new treatment developed by the authors through reduction. Results showed the whitening effect of the novel treatment to be highly improved in terms of application time needed, efficiency and safety, which makes it a promising candidate to develop novel whitening treatments. Experiments at the MIRAS beamline of ALBA helped to determine the chemical mineral modifications in the dental enamel.
Researchers of the UAB and of the Hospital del Mar have identified the presence of an ALS biomarker, the protein TDP-43, that is present outside the nucleus of skin cells of patients. The discovery can be very useful for cases in which diagnosis is difficult, or in those with a family history of ALS, and even for early diagnosis.
On 31 March, the UAB will be hosting the TEDxUABBarcelona event, a day in which different members of the university community will be speaking on issues related to “Innovative Minds”. The objective is to share the knowledge generated at the UAB considered to be transgressive and inspiring for the global community.
An international group of researchers led by the UAB analyzed the genes that are expressed in neurons and astrocytes based on data from 800 individuals and compared what happens in Alzheimer's patients and in people without diagnosed dementia. The study, published in Neurobiology of disease, highlights the need to analyze molecular markers, such as genetic sequences or brain proteins, to obtain more accurate assays, diagnoses and therapies. The results also show changes in astrocytes in an attempt to adapt to the toxic environment derived from the disease, worsening its progression.
Molecular Gate S.L. aims to become a key player in the anti-counterfeiting industry, particularly in the health sector. The cost-effective technology developed by the company will ensure the authenticity of pharmaceutical products using smart optical printed elements on the products.
