Launch of REDPRION project to reinforce the control of diseases on both sides of the Pyrenees
09/03/2018
The UAB collaborates in the consortium with the group led by Dr Martí Pumarola from the Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, which conducts studies on the transmissibility of prions between species through bioassays in transgenic mouse models in the facilities of the animal house within the level 3 biosecurity unit and in the PRIOCAT laboratory, adapted to work with these non-conventional infectious agents. Dr Enric Vidal, responsible for the prion diseases research line at IRTA-CReSA, will be conducting the bioassays.
On 21 February 21 the project kick-off meeting was held at the Centre for Encephalopathies and Emerging Communicable Diseases of the University of Zaragoza.
Representatives of the seven partner entities attended the meeting: The Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA Toulouse), the Asociación Centro de Investigación Cooperativa en Biociencias of Biscay (CiC�\bioGUNE), the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), the Universitat de Barcelona (UB), the Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche (INSERM Toulouse), the ATLAS Molecular Pharma S.L. and the Universidad de Zaragoza (Unizar).
The objective of this project is to create a scientific network of excellence in the field of prion diseases. These neurodegenerative diseases affect both the livestock of the Franco -Spanish transboundary area and its human population and there is no reliable treatment or ante-mortem diagnostic test for its detection. The transmission of animal prions to humans (zoonoses) through the consumption of contaminated food remains a concern for European health authorities.
Thus, the project aims to coordinate activities and combine the specific skills of research centres, large hospital centres and private partners in the cross-border region in order to protect people from the risks associated with prion diseases, develop therapeutic approaches and innovative diagnostic tools intended for use in patients affected by a prion disease and ensure the sustainability of ruminant production in the transboundary region, given the risk of prion agents in the agri-food field.
In addition, the project will contribute to improving the management of Public Health and Animal Health in the region, by informing the responsible parties and professionals in charge of solutions and innovations in the field of prevention of the risks associated with these diseases to the actors involved in the production chains and to the public in general.
The project, worth 2 million euros, will last 3 years and has been co-financed at 65% by the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) through the Interreg V -A Spain -France -Andorra Programme (POCTEFA 2014 -2020). The objective of the POCTEFA is to reinforce the economic and social integration of the Spain-France-Andorra border area. Its support focuses on the development of cross-border economic, social and environmental activities through joint strategies in favour of sustainable territorial development. Project co-financed by the FEDER fund.