Targeting Aberrant STAT3 Signaling in CTCL
Grantee: Sergei Koralov, Associate Professor, NYU Langone, NY
Amount: DKK 2,676,248
Grant category: Research Grants in open competition
Year: 2020
Geography: USA
The goal of this project is to elucidate the mechanism behind the beneficial effects of atovaquone, a well-tolerated anti-microbial drug, on the rare type of skin cancer – the T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). It is known that atovaquone inhibits malignant cells from growing and may induce cell death, but the precise mechanism(s) is not known.
Sergei Koralov and his team have previously developed an animal model of the CTCL disease and will use this along with cells from patients to investigate the effects of atovaquone. Specifically, they will look at how the drug affects the gene regulating protein STAT3 as hyperactivation of this has shown to be critically important in the development of cancerous T-cells.
Given the outstanding tolerability of atovaquone, it is believed that if its mode of action can be deciphered it may prove a powerful tool in the future for treatment of malignant and inflammatory diseases.
Global Psoriasis Atlas Phase II (GPA 2020-2023)
Grantee: Professor Chris Griffiths, University of Manchester
Amount: DKK 8,000,000
Grant category: Standalone grants
Year: 2020
Geography: United Kingdom
Psoriasis is a significant, life-long and currently incurable skin disease, which, according to the first edition of the Global Psoriasis Atlas (GPA), affects at least 60 million people worldwide.
The need to understand and uncover how psoriasis impacts both the individual and society at large is in demand. The Global Psoriasis Atlas is a long-term project that seeks to become the ‘go-to’ evidence-based resource within the understanding of psoriasis and its effects on people and society all over the World.
GPA Phase II (2020-2023)
The GPA Phase II is focused on continued research to establish robust data that address existing knowledge gaps within psoriasis on epidemiology, improving diagnosis, comorbid disease and economic impact.
Furthermore, if sufficient and robust data are available, the plan is to perform a pilot implementation study as part of GPA Phase II.
Addressing these key areas and how they differ between countries and regions will support the aim to provide better access to care for people with psoriasis worldwide.
Background
With a mission to ‘ensure that people with psoriasis, wherever they live in the world, have access to the best available care. The grant for the first version of the GPA was granted to Professor Griffiths and the University of Manchester in 2016.
The LEO Foundation has been main funder of the development of the first edition of the GPA through a 3-year grant of DKK 6,370,000 from 2017 – 2020. The GPA project has in its first three years focused on research into the global prevalence and incidence of psoriasis – resulting in the first edition of the GPA website which can be accessed free of charge here: Global Psoriasis Atlas online
The LEO Foundation Award 2020 – Region EMEA
Grantee: Dr. Ning Xu Landén
Amount: USD 100,000
Grant category: LEO Foundation Awards
Year: 2020
Geography: Sweden
Ning Xu Landén is an Associate Professor in experimental dermatology and venereology at the Department of Medicine, Solna at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden where she leads a successful research group. She is the author of around 50 scientific articles with more than 3000 citations.
Ning Xu Landén receives the award in recognition of her high impact research in wound healing.
The LEO Foundation Award 2020 – Region Americas
Grantee: Dr. Ya-Chieh Hsu
Amount: USD 100,000
Grant category: LEO Foundation Awards
Year: 2020
Geography: USA
Ya-Chieh Hsu is the Alvin and Esta Star Associate Professor at the Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology at Harvard University, Cambridge, USA.
Ya-Chieh Hsu receives the award in recognition of her research achievements in studying cell-cell interactions and how systemic changes in the body influence these interactions in the skin.
The LEO Foundation Award 2019 – Region Asia Pacific
Grantee: Dr. Tetsuro Kobayashi
Amount: USD 100,000
Grant category: LEO Foundation Awards
Year: 2019
Geography: Japan
Dr. Tetsuro Kobayashi is a Research Scientist at the Laboratory for Innate Immune Systems, RIKEN, Center for Integrative Medical Sciences (IMS), Yokohama, Japan.
Dr. Tetsuro Kobayashi receives the award for his research in understanding the interaction between microbes and the immune system in skin.
The LEO Foundation Award 2019 – Region EMEA
Grantee: Dr. Shoba Amarnath
Amount: USD 100,000
Grant category: LEO Foundation Awards
Year: 2019
Geography: United Kingdom
Shoba Amarnath is a Research Fellow at the Institute of Cellular Medicine at Newcastle University, UK
She receives 100,000 USD for her research in the field of immune tolerance in cutaneous inflammation.
The LEO Foundation Award 2019 – Region Americas
Grantee: Maksim Plikus
Amount: USD 100,000
Grant category: LEO Foundation Awards
Year: 2019
Geography: USA
Maksim Plikus is Associate Professor at the Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, USA
He receives 100,000 USD for his research in skin stem cells and regeneration.
Young Scientists Program
Grantee: Japanese Society for Investigative Dermatology
Amount: EUR 15,000
Grant category: Education and Awareness Grants
Year: 2019
Geography: Japan
The mission of the Japanese Society for Investigative Dermatology (JSID) is to advance the position of dermatology in the interdisciplinary world and to enhance the quality of science and research presentations in dermatology for the purposes of maintaining healthy skin and further advancing the treatment of skin diseases.
SID Resident Retreat for Future Academicians
Grantee: Society for Investigative Dermatology
Amount: EUR 15,000
Grant category: Education and Awareness Grants
Year: 2019
Geography: USA
The SID mission is to advance the sciences relevant to skin disease through education, advocacy and scholarly exchange of scientific information.
Unge Forskere (Young Scientists) 2019-2021
Grantee: Mikkel Bohm, ASTRA, Sorø
Amount: DKK 6,000,000
Grant category: Education and Awareness Grants
Year: 2019
Geography: Denmark
Science is a powerful tool to understand and change the world for the better. The national Centre for Learning in Science, Technology and Health in Denmark – Astra* – wants to strengthen and develop science learning to train a new generation of young people with strong science competencies. It is important for the future of Denmark and our role in a globalized world.
One of Astra*’s activities is Unge Forskere (Young Scientists) which is Denmark’s largest talent competition for children from Danish elementary schools and high schools within STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).
The Unge Forskere-competition contributes to both talent development through participation in the competition, and it strengthens the work with innovation, idea development and the natural science method in daily teaching. It is a program that focuses both on the most talented young people, and generally strengthens the natural science identity and general science education among children and young people in Denmark.