Examples of innovative technology platforms from
the NGFN
- The German Mouse Clinic conducts the analyses of the molecular pathogenesis and comorbidity of genetically induced diseases on the basis of mouse models. In this field, Germany is leading the way in Europe. The mouse models are systematically characterized for investigating human diseases under standardized conditions. At the European Mutant Mouse Archive, currently 2,900 mouse models are held available and from there they are distributed worldwide. The German Mouse Clinic was made possible due to the sustainable funding within the framework of NGFN.
- The esiRNA technology developed within the NGFN provides highly specific and effective gene silencing for the high-throughput functional analysis. Thus biomarkers can be identified, for example for the congenital spastic spinal paralysis which now is counted among the standard diagnosis repertoire. This technological development led to the spin-off company Eupheria Biotech GmbH which produces esiRNAs under the label MISSION® esiRNA.
- An Agent Screening Platform had been set up at the Helmholtz-Center for infectious diseases. Thus for example Argyrin had been identified which possesses a specific therapeutic mechanism in tumor cells. Argyrin blocks the molecular machinery of the cell whereby it removes proteins which are no longer needed. It explains for example the dismounting of a kinase inhibitor which is cancer-causing if absent. The relevant preclinical studies had been completed.
- Within the the NGFN funding, the Antibody Factory had been established. More than a thousand “design antibodies” are being produced in vitro and commercialized, user-friendly, cost-efficient and without animal experiments.
- Toponome Decoding provides the spatial visualization of all proteins of a sample (toponom) in a cell or tissue by means of repetitive cycles of high-resolution fluorescence microscopy. This allows the detection of pathological protein networks and potential key target proteins. Spin-off company ToposNomos Ltd., Munich.
- Within the NGFN a high-precision, mass spectrometric technique had been developed, which allows to analyze simultaneously the entire set of proteins expressed by a cell, the proteome. The technique is also applied for the identification of functional and physical interactions of proteins which have been analyzed because of their disease relevance at the DiGToP consortium within the framework of NGFN. This will open new vistas for the development of disease specific therapies.
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