Funded projects

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  Dr Bruce Mockett

  University of Otago

  Project grant - $175,549 - Funding Round: 2024 B

  New mouse models of dementia to link novel therapeutics with clinical translation

  The blood-brain barrier is made up of cells that line blood vessels in the brain and largely prevents blood-borne proteins and foreign substances, including therapeutic drugs, from entering the brain. Viruses hold great promise as a tool to deliver therapeutic genes to the brain but can't cross this barrier. In this project, we will develop new mouse models of dementia that exhibit a human-like blood-brain barrier, and test the ability of a novel non-pathogenic virus to cross into the brain and deliver a therapeutic gene. This technology opens up an exciting new avenue for treating a range of brain diseases.

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  Dr Bruce Mockett

  University of Otago

  Project grant - $299,320 - Funding Round: 2026 A

  Opening the door for systemic gene therapy to treat central nervous system disorders

  This project is testing a promising new gene therapy for the treatment of frontotemporal dementia (FTD), using a naturally occurring brain protein which helps nerve cells grow, connect and stay healthy. An animal model of FTD will be used to test whether the gene therapy improves memory, brain function and damage. This could lead to new treatments that slow or prevent dementia.