Giovanna Lalli is UK Dementia Research Institute (UKDRI) Director of Scientific Affairs. In this presentation, she provided an overview of the UKDRI, a virtual institute established in 2017, which comprised seven centres and over 800 permanent staff. The institute focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative disorders and translating discovery science into innovative therapies.
Lalli discussed the use of induced pluripotent stem cell (IPSC) models to study various neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease. These models help in understanding genetic and omics data, and chimeric models were introduced to better understand disease mechanisms. She highlighted the strategic industry partnerships developed by the UKDRI with companies like Esai, Lilly, and Astex, and a £30 million agreement with the medical research charity LifeArc to catalyse the translation of discovery science.
Lalli also mentioned the innovative model systems used at the UKDRI, such as the C9-ALS human brain cortical organoid model and the 3D-myelinoid model. These models can be used to study neurodegenerative diseases, understand disease mechanisms, and test potential therapies. She emphasised how the translation of discovery science into practical applications can make a difference for patients living with these devastating disorders.
The presentation also covered the development of resources like the UKDRI biomarker factory and the Multi Omics Atlas project. These resources are open to the wider community and aimed at facilitating biomarker development, testing, and validation. Lalli concluded by discussing the de Strooper Lab's improved chimeric model for studying Alzheimer's disease. This model recapitulates the pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's, including amyloid plaques and tau pathology to help identify potential therapeutic targets.
Lalli's presentation provided a comprehensive overview of the UKDRI's efforts to understand and combat neurodegenerative disorders through innovative models, strategic partnerships, and translational research. She noted how important it was to collaborate in this field and how the translation of discovery science into therapies can improve the lives of patients.
