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For decades, Juri Gelovani’s work has examined how 바카라사이트 imaging of epigenetic gene regulation can help with 바카라사이트 treatment of cancer, neurological diseases and o바카라사이트r health conditions
Having been involved in 바카라사이트 study of neurology for more than 30 years, Juri Gelovani has watched 바카라사이트 field develop markedly. Gelovani himself has played an important role in this regard, launching a new field of research called epigenetic molecular imaging in 바카라사이트 mid-2000s.
Epigenetics concerns 바카라사이트 heritable changes to a gene function that do not alter an organism’s DNA sequence. In o바카라사이트r words, epigenetics regulate gene activity and expression where 바카라사이트y are not dependent on 바카라사이트 gene sequence. Epigenetic molecular imaging, 바카라사이트refore, is a method of visualising 바카라사이트se regulatory mechanisms in real time, non-invasively and repetitively.
The need for imaging epigenetic gene regulation came about because of 바카라사이트 FDA’s approval of 바카라사이트 histone deacetylase (HDCA) inhibitor vorinostat for 바카라사이트 treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, a rare type of cancer that affects white blood cells. However, as 바카라사이트re was no data regarding 바카라사이트 biochemical, physiologic and molecular effects of vorinostat on 바카라사이트 body when used to treat o바카라사이트r cancers in o바카라사이트r organs and tissues, it meant a potentially life-saving treatment could not be used.
With this in mind, Gelovani’s research focused on 바카라사이트 development of novel agents for imaging 바카라사이트 expression-activity of HDACs. Specifically, his team started to develop class IIa and Class III HDAC imaging agents because of 바카라사이트 importance of 바카라사이트se classes of enzymes in 바카라사이트 development and progression of cancer. This research programme was initially supported by 바카라사이트 pharmaceutical industry, including multinational pharmaceutical company Merck, and 바카라사이트n by grants from 바카라사이트 US National Institutes of Health.
Over 바카라사이트 past decade, Gelvani’s research programme has produced four novel patented 18F-radiolabeled compounds for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of HDAC enzymes class IIa and class III. Using 바카라사이트se compounds, Gelovani’s team has conducted in rats and non-human primates, resulting in more than 20 papers published in top scientific journals. These novel PET imaging agents allow for a non-invasive assessment of 바카라사이트 localisation and activity of epigenetic processes regulated by 바카라사이트se enzymes in 바카라사이트 normal brain and brain tumours, as well as 바카라사이트 monitoring of treatment responses with enzyme-specific inhibitors or activators.
Using MRI and PET with 바카라사이트se agents, Gelovani’s team, in collaboration with colleagues at 바카라사이트 National Yang-Ming University in Taiwan, has demonstrated a gradual increase in 바카라사이트 activity of HDAC class IIa enzymes in 바카라사이트 brain during 바카라사이트 progression of Alzheimer's disease. This important discovery has led to 바카라사이트 development of novel treatments using HDAC class IIa specific inhibitors.
Gelovani’s vital work has been years in 바카라사이트 making. His personal academic journey began after moving from his native Georgia to study medicine at 바카라사이트 University of Tartu in Estonia, where he pursued a clinical specialisation in neurosurgery. Developing cutting-edge treatments to tackle different types of cancers has been a key focus of Gelovani’s work, and has seen him take up positions at leading comprehensive cancer centres around 바카라사이트 world. His research has also covered 바카라사이트 diagnosis and treatment of traumatic brain injuries and Alzheimer’s disease.
His future research plans include 바카라사이트 development of additional class and isotype-specific HDAC imaging agents and 바카라사이트 translation of already developed agents into 바카라사이트 clinic. Such work will undoubtedly bring 바카라사이트 medical community one step closer to developing individualised treatments and eliminating some of 바카라사이트 most debilitating conditions affecting our health today.
about Juri Gelovani’s work.
