EJP RD workshop – The Blood-Brain Barrier: current research and novel therapeutic crossing approaches

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“The Blood-Brain Barrier: current research and novel therapeutic crossing approaches” workshop will be hosted at the University of Padua, Italy, 8-9 June 2023. The training workshop is funded by the European Joint Programme on Rare Diseases (EJP RD) and organized by the MetabERN Coordinator, Prof. Maurizio Scarpa (Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Friuli Centrale) with the kind contribution of Prof. Alessandra Biffi (University of Padua).

Concept
The normal functioning of the brain and the central nervous system is protected by the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which tightly regulates the brain homeostasis. Built to protect and preserve the correct functioning of the brain by avoiding the entrance of potentially damaging molecules, the BBB also prevents small and large therapeutic compounds from efficiently reaching the brain in case of disease. Indeed, the delivery of therapeutics to the brain cells faces many challenges that hinder the development and testing of novel therapies for brain and neurological disorders. Despite this, various strategies are currently being developed to improve the delivery of small and large molecules to the brain.

Aim
The workshop will provide an overview of recent research and key issues regarding neurodegenerative disorders and the blood-brain barrier (BBB), as a starting point to stimulate discussion on these topics and identify novel opportunities for basic, clinical, and translational research activities on the BBB. As an outcome, the workshop aims to foster new collaborations between participants and other scientists to generate working groups for the development of BBB-crossing therapies for rare diseases.

Registration

The participation to the workshop is free of charge and to register please fill the application form here until the 16th April 2023. Interested participants need to be affiliated to an ERN-Full Member or Affiliated Partner institution.