Tambet Teesalu and his colleagues received 10 million euros to study the blood-nerve barrier. This is where blood and nerves meet. They want to find ways to deliver drugs more precisely to the nerves.
The connection between blood and nerves has been known for 500 years. However, no one has studied it in depth. Teesalu says it's like a missing tooth – important but hidden.
This barrier protects nerves but can also cause chronic pain. One in five people suffers from such pain. Teesalu's team wants to find ways to cross this barrier.
Researchers from four different fields are involved in the work: specialists in blood vessels, nerves, mechanics, and drugs. Each studies a different part of the barrier.
Teesalu's group uses its technology to find 'postal codes' for the barrier. These would help deliver drugs to the right place. For example, painkillers or drugs that repair the barrier.
Obtaining the funding was difficult. The first attempt failed. The second time, they gathered more data and refined their plans. This helped.
Teesalu says that when writing an application, one must be precise and ready a week before the deadline. During the interview, it was important to keep time accurately. If someone made a mistake, it could affect everyone.
Past success helped. Teesalu's group previously discovered a peptide that enhances cancer drugs. It is now in clinical trials in the USA. They hope the new project will yield similar results.
In six years, they won't find a cure immediately. The goal is to create a new field of science. This will help develop better drugs in the future. The project will receive 2.5 million euros for the University of Tartu group.