Andrea Lobo,  —

Andrea Lobo is a Science writer at BioNews. She holds a Biology degree and a PhD in Cell Biology/Neurosciences from the University of Coimbra-Portugal, where she studied stroke biology. She was a postdoctoral and senior researcher at the Institute for Research and Innovation in Health in Porto, in drug addiction, studying neuronal plasticity induced by amphetamines. As a research scientist for 19 years, Andrea participated in academic projects in multiple research fields, from stroke, gene regulation, cancer, and rare diseases. She authored multiple research papers in peer-reviewed journals. She shifted towards a career in science writing and communication in 2022.

Articles by Andrea Lobo

New partnership to advance cell replacement therapy for Parkinson’s

Swedish-based Smartcella has entered an agreement with a research team from the Karolinska Institute for the exclusive rights to advance a cell replacement therapy for Parkinson’s disease into clinical development and commercialization. The Karolinska Institute team in Sweden, led by Johan Ericson, PhD, a professor of developmental biology, has…

Kenai facility will boost Parkinson’s neuron replacement research

Kenai Therapeutics is setting up research and laboratory facilities at Lilly Gateway Labs in San Diego, to help advance RNDP-001, its investigational dopaminergic neuron replacement therapy for Parkinson’s disease. By joining Gateway Labs, Kenai, formerly Ryne Biotechnologies, will have access to state-of-the-art facilities, along with resources and…

Strength training app aimed at people with Parkinson’s, MS

A research initiative aims to create a mobile app using artificial intelligence (AI) to make strength training at home more effective for people with Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions. The technology is being developed by Myworkout AS, in collaboration with the Norwegian University of Science and Technology…

Plant compound eases motor, cognitive symptoms in mice

Gardenin A, a compound found in a common South Asian shrub, lessened both cognitive and motor symptoms of Parkinson’s in a mouse model of the disease, according to a study. The compound reduced the loss of dopaminergic neurons — nerve cells that are gradually lost in Parkinson’s— and decreased…

Direct nose-to-brain delivery of dopamine is company’s goal

An Australian company announced that it is working on a direct, nose-to-brain way of delivering dopamine that might more effectively treat Parkinson’s disease. PreveCeutical anticipates that this approach, based on what it calls a sol-gel solution that turns into a gel once in contact with mucosa tissue…

Aiming to empower Black, African American Parkinson’s patients

The Parkinson’s Foundation hosted a series of events last year that aimed to recognize the unique needs and experiences of Black and African American people with Parkinson’s disease and empower these patients to participate in research. As part of an initiative called Parkinson’s Journey in Color: Advancing Research…

Could immune system ‘exhaustion’ contribute to Parkinson’s?

As people age, the immune system ages with them, becoming more sluggish and ineffective — a change that could contribute to Parkinson’s disease, Rebecca Wallings, a 2024 Parkinson’s Foundation Launch Award grant recipient, suggests. “As you age … your immune cells can become exhausted … slow, sluggish, and…

New microglia cell model aims to help advance Parkinson’s research

Ncardia has launched a human-derived microglia cell model, called Ncyte Microglia, that the company says may help advance research in Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions — and which may be a tool in the development of new therapies. Microglia are resident immune cells in the brain that…

EU agency say no trials of mesdopetam in children are needed

The European Medicines Agency (EMA), which evaluates the safety and efficacy of new drugs in the European Union, has waived a requirement that would have had Irlab Therapeutics conducting clinical trials testing mesdopetam — its therapy candidate for levodopa-induced dyskinesia, or uncontrolled, involuntary movements common in Parkinson’s disease…

Sex or gender disparities clear in Parkinson’s, need attention: Report

Parkinson’s disease research and care should address disparities by sex and gender in patients’ symptoms, treatment responses, and disease progression, scientists across Europe and North America state in a commentary. While sex refers to assigned biological differences between males and females, gender refers to how a person identifies, affecting…