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This is the first time a mammalian gene has been shown to have such a direct effect on the life span of a mammal.
The discovery was disclosed in a report in Nature (18th November 1999) and has been followed up by the international press (The Times/The Telegraph/The Guardian/The New York Times - (November 1999).
Dr Pelicci continues to characterise the function of this important gene which has been termed p66shc. The function of the gene appears to be linked with the production of Reactive Oxygen Species and their cumulative damaging effects on the cell. The group has further identified the mechanism for activation of the gene.
Cancer Research Ventures Limited (CRV), a technology transfer company which was formed as a spin out company from Cancer Research Campaign Technology Ltd, has been working with Dr Pelicci’s department in Milan for some time as its agent for intellectual property management and point of contact for commercial partners. This is just one of several key research areas in which CRV has been acting as a consultant for the department. A patent covering the p66shc gene has been applied for. CRV is now seeking commercial partners to help the group develop this discovery for use in age related disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Werner’s syndrome and to combat the causes of premature tissue death.
