• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

Drug Delivery Business

  • Clinical Trials
  • Research & Development
  • Drug-Device Combinations
  • FDA
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Policy

Parkinson’s protein to take a trip into space

July 21, 2017 By Sarah Faulkner

Michael J. Fox Foundation

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research and the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space yesterday inked a collaboration to send a protein linked to Parkinson’s disease to the International Space Station.

The researchers plan to evaluate the protein’s growth under microgravity conditions, which could foster larger, more regular LRRK2 protein crystals to grow and give insight into the protein’s structure. A better understanding of LRRK2’s structure could help design therapies optimized against the protein.

“We’re thrilled that PD research has been selected to travel to the International Space Station and honored to partner with CASIS on behalf of the PD community here on Earth,” Michael J. Fox said in a video message.

The protein is slated to leave for the ISS no sooner than August 10. It will be taken as part of a cargo resupply mission, according to the foundation.

“The unique environment of the International Space Station untethers research from restrictions imposed by gravity,” CASIS president & executive director Gregory Johnson said in prepared remarks. “CASIS is glad to partner with The Michael J. Fox Foundation to explore the structure of this important piece of the Parkinson’s puzzle.”

LRRK2 is a key target in Parkinson’s research – mutations in the gene that encodes for this protein are linked to Parkinson’s disease. But scientists have yet to figure out the exact structure of this critical protein.

Want to stay on top of DDBN content? Sign up for our e-mail newsletter for a weekly dose of drug-device news.

Filed Under: Featured, Neurological, Pharmaceuticals, Research & Development Tagged With: michaeljfoxfoundation

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

  • Insulet hires new chief HR officer from J&J
  • Breakthrough T1D, Mattel debut Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes
  • Medtronic Diabetes names CFO with consumer experience ahead of separation
  • Diabeloop launches insulin delivery algorithm in Germany
  • GlucoModicum has positive data for needle-free CGM

Primary Sidebar

“ddb
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest news and trends happening now in drug delivery.

MEDTECH 100 INDEX

Medtech 100 logo
Market Summary > Current Price
The MedTech 100 is a financial index calculated using the BIG100 companies covered in Medical Design and Outsourcing.

Footer

Drug Delivery Business News Logo

MassDevice Medical NETWORK

MassDevice
DeviceTalks
Medical Tubing + Extrusion
Medical Design & Outsourcing
MedTech100 Index
Drug Discovery & Development
Pharmaceutical Processing World
Medical Design Sourcing
R&D World

DRUG DELIVERY BUSINESS NEWS

Subscribe to Drug Delivery’s E-Newsletter
Advertise with us
About
Contact us
Privacy
Listen to our Weekly Podcasts

Copyright © 2025 · WTWH Media LLC and its licensors. All rights reserved.
The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media.

Privacy Policy | RSS