Roskamp Institute
Encyclopedia
The Roskamp Institute, founded by the Robert Roskamp Foundation in Sarasota, Florida
in 2003, is a non-profit biomedical research
center with an emphasis on Alzheimer's disease
. It also operates a memory clinic and clinical research
offices in Tampa
, Florida
. The institute is focused on finding the causes and treatments for neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases, particularly the Alzheimer's disease.
The Institute's lead researchers, Dr. Michael Mullan
and Dr. Fiona Crawford were members of a team of scientists who discovered in the early 1990s that the onset of Alzheimer’s disease was directly related to the accumulation of the β-amyloid
protein.. They jointly found Swedish mutation in APP gene in the familial form of the disease. Currently Swedish Mutation if widely used in Tg2573 transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's Disease .
In September 2006, the Roskamp Institute tied up with the Institute of Neuroscience of Trinity College, Dublin
to launch a clinical trial study to determine if the drug Nilvadipine
might be useful in the cure of Alzheimer's disease. The study has been funded by the Roskamp Institute. The aim of the study is to determine if Nilvadipine can alter β-amyloid
protein. Nilvadipine is currently used to treat high blood pressure and is available in Ireland on prescription.
On May 2011, an international research consortium led by Trinity College Dublin (Ireland) announced the selection for funding of a large-scale European clinical trial of Nilvadipine, an Alzheimer’s disease drug developed at the Roskamp Institute in Sarasota. More than 500 Alzheimer’s patients will participate in the multicenter Phase III clinical trial designed to study the effectiveness of Nilvadipine. Press release regarding this can be found here Roskamp Institute Press Release
The institute is currently housed in a 41000 sq ft (3,809 m²) scientific research facility (formerly used by Bausch & Lomb
) in Sarasota, Florida. The institute facility contains proteomics
, genomics
, mass spectrometry
, and chemistry
labs. Led by Drs. Michael Mullan and Fiona Crawford, the organization employs more than 50 scientists, technicians, and other research staff.
Roskamp Institute Scientists are actively involved in Gulf War Syndrome research. They are studying effects of gulf war agents on biological pathways and identifying targets that may help identifying therapy.
Sarasota, Florida
Sarasota is a city located in Sarasota County on the southwestern coast of the U.S. state of Florida. It is south of the Tampa Bay Area and north of Fort Myers...
in 2003, is a non-profit biomedical research
Biomedical research
Biomedical research , in general simply known as medical research, is the basic research, applied research, or translational research conducted to aid and support the body of knowledge in the field of medicine...
center with an emphasis on Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease also known in medical literature as Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia. There is no cure for the disease, which worsens as it progresses, and eventually leads to death...
. It also operates a memory clinic and clinical research
Clinical trial
Clinical trials are a set of procedures in medical research and drug development that are conducted to allow safety and efficacy data to be collected for health interventions...
offices in Tampa
Tâmpa
Tâmpa may refer to several villages in Romania:* Tâmpa, a village in Băcia Commune, Hunedoara County* Tâmpa, a village in Miercurea Nirajului, Mureş County* Tâmpa, a mountain in Braşov city...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. The institute is focused on finding the causes and treatments for neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases, particularly the Alzheimer's disease.
The Institute's lead researchers, Dr. Michael Mullan
Michael Mullan
Michael Mullan is a biomedical researcher of the β-amyloid protein and its relation to Alzheimer’s disease. Mullan's Alzheimer research is well known among Biomedical Community. Dr. Mullan's Alzheimer research work resulted in identifying the most widely known Swiss Mutation that is present in...
and Dr. Fiona Crawford were members of a team of scientists who discovered in the early 1990s that the onset of Alzheimer’s disease was directly related to the accumulation of the β-amyloid
Amyloid beta
Amyloid beta is a peptide of 36–43 amino acids that is processed from the Amyloid precursor protein. While it is most commonly known in association with Alzheimer's disease, it does not exist specifically to cause disease...
protein.. They jointly found Swedish mutation in APP gene in the familial form of the disease. Currently Swedish Mutation if widely used in Tg2573 transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's Disease .
In September 2006, the Roskamp Institute tied up with the Institute of Neuroscience of Trinity College, Dublin
Trinity College, Dublin
Trinity College, Dublin , formally known as the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin, was founded in 1592 by letters patent from Queen Elizabeth I as the "mother of a university", Extracts from Letters Patent of Elizabeth I, 1592: "...we...found and...
to launch a clinical trial study to determine if the drug Nilvadipine
Nilvadipine
Nilvadipine is a calcium channel blocker used for the treatment of hypertension and chronic major cerebral artery occlusion.Pathohistochemical studies have revealed that the volume of the infarction in the middle cerebral artery occlusion model could be decreased by nilvadipine.Nilvadipine was...
might be useful in the cure of Alzheimer's disease. The study has been funded by the Roskamp Institute. The aim of the study is to determine if Nilvadipine can alter β-amyloid
Amyloid beta
Amyloid beta is a peptide of 36–43 amino acids that is processed from the Amyloid precursor protein. While it is most commonly known in association with Alzheimer's disease, it does not exist specifically to cause disease...
protein. Nilvadipine is currently used to treat high blood pressure and is available in Ireland on prescription.
On May 2011, an international research consortium led by Trinity College Dublin (Ireland) announced the selection for funding of a large-scale European clinical trial of Nilvadipine, an Alzheimer’s disease drug developed at the Roskamp Institute in Sarasota. More than 500 Alzheimer’s patients will participate in the multicenter Phase III clinical trial designed to study the effectiveness of Nilvadipine. Press release regarding this can be found here Roskamp Institute Press Release
The institute is currently housed in a 41000 sq ft (3,809 m²) scientific research facility (formerly used by Bausch & Lomb
Bausch & Lomb
Bausch & Lomb, an American company based in Rochester, New York, is one of the world's leading suppliers of eye health products, such as contact lenses and lens care products today. In addition to this main activity, in recent years the area of medical technology has been developed...
) in Sarasota, Florida. The institute facility contains proteomics
Proteomics
Proteomics is the large-scale study of proteins, particularly their structures and functions. Proteins are vital parts of living organisms, as they are the main components of the physiological metabolic pathways of cells. The term "proteomics" was first coined in 1997 to make an analogy with...
, genomics
Genomics
Genomics is a discipline in genetics concerning the study of the genomes of organisms. The field includes intensive efforts to determine the entire DNA sequence of organisms and fine-scale genetic mapping efforts. The field also includes studies of intragenomic phenomena such as heterosis,...
, mass spectrometry
Mass spectrometry
Mass spectrometry is an analytical technique that measures the mass-to-charge ratio of charged particles.It is used for determining masses of particles, for determining the elemental composition of a sample or molecule, and for elucidating the chemical structures of molecules, such as peptides and...
, and chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
labs. Led by Drs. Michael Mullan and Fiona Crawford, the organization employs more than 50 scientists, technicians, and other research staff.
Roskamp Institute Scientists are actively involved in Gulf War Syndrome research. They are studying effects of gulf war agents on biological pathways and identifying targets that may help identifying therapy.