Manchester researcher awarded €1.5m ERC grant to revolutionise early detection of brain diseases
A leading nanomedicine researcher at The University of Manchester has secured a €1.5m (£1.3m) European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant to push forward pioneering research on Alzheimer’s disease and glioblastoma.
The five-year project, NanoNeuroOmics, aims to combine breakthroughs in nanotechnology, protein analysis, and blood biomarker discovery to make advances in two key areas.
First, the team led by Dr. Marilena Hadjidemetriou will explore the use of nanoparticles to enrich and isolate brain-disease specific protein biomarkers in blood. These discoveries could pave the way for simple, reliable blood tests that diagnose Alzheimer’s and glioblastoma in their early stages.
Second, the research will investigate the phenomenon of “inverse comorbidity,” which suggests that having one of these conditions may reduce the risk of developing the other. Dr. Hadjidemetriou and her team will explore this surprising relationship to uncover any deeper biological connection that could lead to new treatment pathways.
Building on her 2021 research, where Dr. Hadjidemetriou developed a nanoparticle-enabled technology to detect early signs of neurodegeneration in blood, this project has the potential to transform how these brain diseases are diagnosed and treated.
Dr. Hadjidemetriou’s previous work involved using nano-sized particles, known as liposomes, to “fish” disease-specific proteins from the blood. This breakthrough enabled her team to discover proteins directly linked to neurodegeneration processes in the brain, among thousands of other blood-circulating molecules. In animal models of Alzheimer’s, this nano-tool successfully captured hundreds of neurodegeneration-associated proteins. Once retrieved from the bloodstream, the molecular signatures on the surface of these proteins were analysed, offering a clearer picture of the disease at a molecular level.
Now, Dr. Hadjidemetriou’s team will evolve this expertise to identify highly specific biomarkers by tracking protein changes in both blood and brain over time and across different stages of Alzheimer’s and glioblastoma. By working with different nanomaterials, they hope to isolate these key protein markers from the complex mix of molecules in the blood.
Dr Marilena Hadjidemetriou, NanoOmics Group Leader, and a Lecturer in Nanomedicine in Manchester’s School of Biological Sciences. explains: “Our goal isn’t just to discover new blood biomarkers, but to gain deeper insight into the underlying mechanisms that govern neurological conditions. By linking changes in the blood to what’s happening in the brain, we aim to uncover vital connections. This approach has the potential to transform early diagnosis and treatment for both Alzheimer’s and glioblastoma, shedding light on the mysterious link between these diseases and ultimately transforming patient outcomes.”
The NanoNeuroOmics project’s multidisciplinary approach brings together experts in nanotechnology and omics sciences to develop methods for detecting and potentially treating these diseases with greater precision. Research will be conducted at The University of Manchester’s Centre for Nanotechnology in Medicine, a cutting-edge facility dedicated to advancing nanoscale technologies. The Centre’s focus spans multiple fields, including omics, neurology, therapeutics, and materials science.
Dr. Hadjidemetriou’s team is also part of Manchester’s vibrant 2D materials science community, home to the discovery of graphene 20 years ago, continuing the university’s legacy of scientific innovation.
