The Oxidative Stress Biochemical Research Group, of the University of Lleida (UdL) and the Biomedical Research Institute of Lleida (IRBLleida), is carrying out two projects to better understand Friedreich's ataxia - which is caused by the deficiency of Frataxin, a mitochondrial protein.
The Oxidative Stress Biochemical Research Group investigates this minority disease since 2005. In 2011, it obtained a research project from the La Marató Foundation of TV3 (led by Jordi Tamarit); In addition to the projects named above, it also has support from Ataxia UK, the United Kingdom, co-funded by the Association of Catalan Ataxias (ACAH) and a project of the Ministry -Retos- called "Targeting mitochondria in Friedreich ataxia: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic approaches ". The results of the previous projects have provided new data on the mitochondrial alterations that occur due to frataxin deficit. Therefore, in these projects, the proposed objectives seek to find answers to know which are the mechanisms that explain the neurocardiodegenerative effects of frataxin deficiency and what is the capacity of some compounds to reverse these alterations and that can be proposed as treatments of the Friedreich ataxia.
Researchers from Lleida make advances to propose new therapies in the treatment of Friedreich's ataxia
