MJFF Molecular MRI Biomarker Program

International funding to accelerate the development, validation and clinical translation of mMRI biomarkers that target key pathways implicated in Parkinson’s disease pathophysiology.

Established in 2000, the Michael J Fox Foundation (MJFF) was set up to find a cure for Parkinson’s disease (PD) and ensure the development of improved therapies.

The purpose of the MJFF Molecular MRI Biomarker Program Request for Applications (RFA) is to advance the development of innovative Molecular Magnetic Resonance Imaging (mMRI) techniques that directly quantify molecular and cellular events in PD.

PD is a complex neurodegenerative disorder driven by multiple pathological processes, including endolysosomal and mitochondrial dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and immune system dysregulation. mMRI offers a non-invasive method to visualise and quantify these molecular and cellular processes in vivo, providing critical insights into disease mechanisms and therapeutic response.

This funding opportunity seeks to accelerate the development, validation and clinical translation of mMRI biomarkers that target key pathways implicated in PD pathophysiology. Proposals are invited that focus on the following molecular and cellular pathways associated with PD:

• Endolysosomal dysfunction: Strategies to detect disruption in lysosomal activity, pathological protein accumulation, autophagy etc.
• Mitochondrial impairment: Strategies to measure mitochondrial bioenergetics, oxidative stress, metabolic changes and track mitochondrial dysfunction in-vivo.
• Neuroinflammation and immune system dysregulation: Strategies to detect and visualise inflammatory markers, quantify BBB integrity etc.

MJFF will prioritise proposals that address one or more of the following areas:

• Novel probe/sequence development and validation: Priority will be given to programmes with identified sequences or agents specific to the target pathways.
• Preclinical Optimisation and Validation: Targeting sensitivity and specificity, BBB permeability, development of robust and reproducible imaging protocols etc.

First-in-human studies will be considered on a case-by-case basis.