About us
What we do
We exist to advance medical research, improve human health and change people’s lives. You can help us do it.
WHAT WE FUND
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Respiratory diseases
A fellowship to look at how low levels of a protein called Elk1 leads to the development of significantly worse scarring of the lung in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).
Dr Tatler’s study will use state-of-art molecular techniques to identify different biological pathways that may be important in IPF.
We awarded Dr Amanda Tatler from the University of Nottingham a fellowship to look at how low levels of a protein called Elk1 leads to the development of significantly worse scarring of the lung in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Elk1 is expressed by all cells in the body and is responsible for switching certain genes on or off when required by a cell.
Elk1 might act as a “brake” on the scarring process that characterises IPF and block the progression and development of IPF. It is known that patients with IPF have lower levels of the “brake” Elk1 than patients not suffering from IPF. Dr Tatler’s study will use state-of-art molecular techniques to identify different biological pathways that may be important in IPF and are affected by the loss of Elk1 observed in IPF patients.
The study aims to analyse the role that Elk1 may play as a master regulator of scarring in human IPF patients and shed important light on how IPF is initiated and progresses.
Respiratory Diseases – Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
-
Why there is a need to fund new research
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an incurable rare lung disease. 15,000 people in the UK are living with IPF. The key feature of IPF is the irreversible build-up of dense scar tissue within the air spaces of the lungs, which leads to breathlessness and ultimately respiratory failure. The causes are unknown, and current treatments do not stop the progression of disease, only slow it down.
Support us
Help change lives
We fund and support the most promising health research wherever we discover great opportunities that are not being pursued. We use our donations responsibly and ensure we make the greatest impact where it is most needed.
DONATE
Support us
Support the power of science
Thanks to you, our researchers are improving human health, changing lives, and giving hope to people with overlooked and underfunded health conditions.
What we fund
Apply for funding
We exist to fund research and we want to help support you – the rising stars and the champions of the medical research world.