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Participants
of the Research Network LEUCHRON
are the University of Frankfurt,
(Prof. D. Steinhilber),
the Karolinska
Institute in Stockholm,
the University of Jena and the
University of Milan as representatives
of laboratories, which are positioned
in the international fore-front
of Leukotriene research.
The leukotrienes are important
lipid signalling molecules in
chronic inflammatory disorders
of the joints and respiratory
system, in particular asthma,
which are serious health problems
with a major socio-economic
impact.
The network carries out a multidisciplinary
project with the aims to elucidate
the underlying leuktriene-dependent
pathophysiological mechanisms
and contribute to the development
of novel therapeutic strategies
and anti-leukotriene drugs.
The work focuses on molecular
studies of key enzymes and receptors,
regulation of cellular leukotriene
synthesis, the role of leukotrienes
in the immune system and characterisation
of new potential drug targets,
which will be combined with
applied studies in ex vivo models
of inflammatory diseases. Our
project is conducted in alliance
with the industry and has the
potential for future extension
into medical practice and treatment
of chronic and degenerative
diseases.
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