On 24-25 September, the “Targeting Circadian Clock Dysfunction in Alzheimer’s Disease” (TClock4AD) Doctoral Network held a summer school on Public Engagement and dissemination. The event was hosted by the Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research in Milan, Italy. TClock4AD is an interdisciplinary, intersectoral and international network composed of 13 beneficiaries and 14 associated partners. Funded by Horizon Europe’s Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Networks, the consortium focuses on the search of new drugs targeting circadian clock dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease and aims to train 17 doctoral students from 13 countries (i.e., Bangladesh, China, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Greece, India, Israel, Italy, Pakistan, Portugal, Russia and Spain). The project employs a multidisciplinary approach, focusing on 5 key scientific themes:
1. Developing novel artificial intelligence, proteolysis targeting chimeras and multitarget-based strategies for new circadian clock drug candidates
2. Developing novel drug delivery nanotechnologies, which take into consideration circadian clock timing
3. Investigating innovative in vitro & in vivo, as well as organ-on-chip techniques, for preclinical validation of circadian clock drugs
4. Gaining insights into the molecular mechanisms of the circadian clock in Alzheimer’s disease and associated drug responses in animal models
5. Developing innovative biotech business models and exploitation strategies.
During the summer school, students participated in workshops and training sessions aimed at enhancing their skills in public communication. They learned how to effectively communicate complex scientific topics to the wider public using social and mass media platforms. Additional talks addressed modern communication techniques in the pharmaceutical sector, fundraising communication and scientific journalism. Students also received dementia-friendly recommendations through a talk on the importance of involving people with dementia in research. An insightful presentation on the role of women in science and the importance of gender-inclusive communication free from unconscious bias was also delivered. Cindy Birck, Alzheimer Europe’s Project Officer, was invited to share her insights on the role of Public Engagement and Dissemination in Alzheimer’s disease research. For more information on the TClock4AD Doctoral Network, please visit:
