The RBP-ReguNet is born: A European consortium that seeks new drugs for untreated diseases such as certain types of cancer, neurological disorders, or hepatic and infectious conditions

• Led by the CiMUS-USC, this pioneering initiative in scientific training, funded with nearly three million euros from the Horizon Europe programme over four years, will support the projects of 11 doctoral students from various countries across the globe.
• Coordinated from the singular research centre by Ashwin Woodhoo, a distinguished researcher contracted by the Oportunius programme of the Xunta de Galicia, the beneficiaries of the scholarships will join their respective work centres in September, including universities, research institutes and high-profile companies.
   

Identifying new drug targets in intractable diseases such as certain cancers, neurological disorders, liver disorders or infectious diseases is the aim of the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Doctoral network "RBP-ReguNet: Deconstructing and Rewiring RNA-RBP regulatory networks". It is a European consortium, coordinated by Ashwin Woodhoo from CIMUS-USC, a distinguished researcher contracted by the Oportunius programme of the Xunta de Galicia. The network aims to take advantage of new discoveries in RNA-binding proteins (RBP) biology to try to find new therapeutic approaches.

Seeking the Next Generation of European Researchers

Eleven PhD candidates from several countries from all over the world have been chosen to start working on their projects in September at different working centers. For four years, universities, specialised research centers, and renowned scientific-technological companies will oversee the projects’ overall development from a theoretical and practical standpoint, using a multidisciplinary approach that includes computational, structural, molecular, and cellular biology as well as medicinal chemistry and pharmacological detection. According to network coordinator Ashwin Woodhoo “It is a very comprehensive programme aimed at providing advanced scientific training leading to an ecosystem of the next generation of researchers in Europe”.

Additionaly, the Sergio Vidal acknowledged researcher Marta Varela Rey will led the coordination of the project on cholestatic liver illness from CiMUS-USC. Mabel Loza, the director of CiMUS, will make contributions through the Kaertor Foundation to further its direction from Santiago de Compostela.

Eight other cutting-edge universities and research institutions from all over Europe are represented in RBP-ReguNet together with USC. Along with the EMBL in Germany and the universities of Trento and Milan in Italy, these institutions also include the Centre for Genomic Regulation in Spain, the Curie Institute in France, the Sanquin Institute in the Netherlands, the University of Glasgow in the United Kingdom, and the Italian biotechnology firm IMMAGINA BIOTECHNOLOGY.

The formation of the RBP-ReguNet consortium, with its selection of talented doctoral candidates and collaborative efforts from prominent institutions across Europe, demonstrates a resolute commitment to tackling the challenges posed by untreated diseases. With an ambitious vision and a multidisciplinary approach, this consortium aims to drive scientific innovation, ultimately bringing about new treatment options and instilling hope for patients who currently lack effective therapies.