The University of Cagliari is one of the founders of the structure created for the "Development of gene therapy and drugs with RNA technology" financed by the NRP with 320 million euros .
The Center (which involves twenty universities, some foundations and various private entities) has as its objective the realization of research projects and the promotion of entrepreneurial activities with a high technological content , combining in a collaborative and non-profit spirit, universities, institutions research and business.
As part of the National Center, organized in a "hub & spoke" structure led by the University of Padua, the university of the Sardinian capital is an integral part of the initiatives aimed at the study and implementation of innovative therapies based on RNA in genetic pathologies with accumulation of iron .
"Particularly exposed to this type of pathology - explain the scientific referents of the project, Raffaella Origa and Patrizia Zavattari - are transfusion-dependent patients, who can present an accumulation of iron secondary to transfusions with the possible development of endocrine, cardiac and hepatic complications and reduced survival The category of microRna (miRna), which is represented by small molecules of Rna, includes both physiological molecules in our body and others of pathological significance, some of which are associated with martial accumulation and organ toxicity. The latter can undoubtedly be considered excellent candidates to become targets for potential drugs capable of controlling iron accumulation ".
In the new National Research Center this is the ambitious challenge with the potentially achievable goal that the UniCa researchers set themselves. "The University of Cagliari - underlines the rector Francesco Mola -, among the promoters of the National Center for the development of gene therapies and drugs based on RNA technology, confirms the valid and recognized skills acquired over the years by our university in a of such . In addition to the strong motivation towards further improvement, in the spirit of putting one's know-how at the service of others ".
