|
|
Hope for Alzheimer's blossoms in daffodil
Sep 6, 2005, 00:12, Reviewed by: Dr.
|
|
"Galanthamine has major investment potential. Furthermore, the potential for Welsh hill farms is huge. The benefits are extensive, not only to Welsh bioscience and the pharmaceutical industry, but also to the ageing population."
|
By Cardiff University,
A substance found in the Welsh national flower, which could offer hope for sufferers of Alzheimer�s disease, is being supported for large scale manufacture by Cardiff University�s Manufacturing Engineering Centre (MEC).
Alzheimer�s disease is the most common form of dementia, making up 55 per cent of all cases of dementia. Dementia affects one person in 20 over the age of 65 and one person in five over the age of 80.
Certain species of daffodil, which thrive in the Black Mountains of South Powys, produce galanthamine, a leading drug in the alleviation of memory loss symptoms.
The University�s Manufacturing Engineering Centre is now helping a company Alzeim Ltd (supported by Glasu, the EU funded LEADER+ Programme in Powys) to develop the agricultural potential of the daffodil as a medicinal plant along with the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth.
The Centre is providing support from harvesting in the field to marketing the pharmaceutical product. This includes assisting with the science of developing crops more than once a year and helping growers to assess when the best time to harvest the crop.
Frank Marsh, Marketing Director, The Manufacturing Engineering Centre said: "Galanthamine has major investment potential. Furthermore, the potential for Welsh hill farms is huge. The benefits are extensive, not only to Welsh bioscience and the pharmaceutical industry, but also to the ageing population." 
- Cardiff University
www.cardiff.ac.uk
1. The Manufacturing Engineering Centre is one of the most advanced centres for manufacturing engineering in Europe, and is renowned as a multi-award-winning centre for design, development and manufacturing engineering. It employs some 80 people and has worked with more than 350 industrial partners on more than 2,100 projects in the last eight years. It is the first autonomous research centre to be created by Cardiff University.
2. Cardiff University is recognised in independent government assessments as one of Britain�s leading teaching and research universities. Founded by Royal Charter in 1883, the University today combines impressive modern facilities and a dynamic approach to teaching and research with its proud heritage of service and achievement. The University�s breadth of expertise in research and research-led teaching encompasses: the humanities; the natural, physical, health, life and social sciences; engineering and technology; preparation for a wide range of professions; and a longstanding commitment to lifelong learning. From its outstanding central location amidst the parks, Portland-stone buildings and tree-lined avenues that form the city�s elegant civic centre, the University�s students and staff are drawn from throughout the world, attracted by its international reputation and commitment to innovation and excellence in all areas of activity. Cardiff is a member of the Russell Group of Britain�s leading research universities. Having gained national and international standing, Cardiff University�s vision is to be a world-class university and to achieve the associated benefits for its students, staff and all other stakeholders.
Visit the University website at: www.cardiff.ac.uk
|
For any corrections of factual information, to contact the editors or to send
any medical news or health news press releases, use
feedback form
Top of Page
|
|
|
|
