Guernsey Motor Neurone has donated £30k to support a major biomedical research project.
A collaboration between the UK’s Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) and the University of Oxford, the money will support a three-year project led by Dr Ruxandra Dafinca, Senior Research Fellow at Oxford and Professor Kevin Talbot, Head of Clinical Neurosciences.
The research investigates the role of mitochondria – the energy-producing structures within cells – in the breakdown of communication between nerve cells in
Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD). This disruption occurs at the synapse, one of the earliest sites of damage in MND.
The study will use advanced laboratory techniques, the aim is to improve the identification of potential drug targets and support the development of treatments
that could slow or halt disease progression.
Vito Priore, Guernsey Motor Neurone (GMN) Treasurer and Director handed over the cheque to Dr Brian Dickie MBE, Chief Scientist of the MNDA, at the charity’s headquarters in Northampton. He described the donation as a reflection of GMN’s long-standing relationship with the MNDA and commitment to supporting research into the disease. “We are deeply indebted to the islanders and businesses whose generosity makes it possible for GMN to make this kind of donation,” he said.
Dr Dickie said: “Charitable funding plays a vital role in enabling the MNDA and its research partners to accelerate research, support scientists and advance the
development of new therapies for people living with MND. We are very grateful to the Guernsey charity for their continued financial support.”
Pictured: Left to right – Vito Priore and Dr Brian Dickie
