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Science today for the medicine of tomorrow: Alzheimer

On September 29, IRB Barcelona researcher and City of Barcelona Price 2014, Ernest Giralt, will unveil an innovative research that offers a solution to deliver therapeutic molecules to reach the brain.

Enric Giralt's lecture, which will start at 19 PM at the CCCB (Montalegre 5, Barcelona), is part of the Institute of Biomedical Research (IRB Barcelona) series "Perspectives Barcelona Biomed" and will be presented by the science journalist Xavier Duran. Admission is free.

One of the main obstacles from preventing us from treating diseases that affect the brain is the blood brain barrier, a membrane that serves to protect the brain from viruses, microbes and other dangerous elements. This barrier is the reason why many treatments for disorders that affect the central nervous system often fail. In the last 50 years, very few research projects have led to the discovery of new drugs to treat diseases that affect the brain. The incidence of some of these diseases with no cures, such as Alzheimer's, are growing at unprecedented rates in the developed societies. A recent innovative study offers a possible solution to overcome the obstacle of the blood brain barrier and allow therapeutic molecules to reach the brain.

Ernest Giralt is head of the Peptides and Proteins Laboratory at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine, where he also heads the Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology Programme. Dr. Giralt received his degree in Chemistry from the University of Barcelona, a Diplôme d'Etudes Approfondies in Organic Chemistry from the University of Montpellier, France, and a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Barcelona, where he is also a Professor of Organic Chemistry. Dr. Giralt is an expert in developing new methods to synthesize small proteins (peptides), and studies their structure and use as tools to transport drugs inside of cells or across the body's natural barriers, such as the brain. The numerous recognitions he has received throughout his career include the National Research Prize in 2011 and the City of Barcelona Prize in 2014.

Further information: CCCB

Publication date: Tuesday, 22 September 2015
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