Desert-Loving Therapeutics
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Combining acient knowledge and modern science
By combining ancient knowledge of the Aboriginal people on the use of herbal extracts of Eremophila plants with world-leading research competences and state-of-the-art technologies, this project will uncover a rich catalogue of interesting molecules with wide pharmaceutical applications bringing highly promising bioactive diterpenoids from the remote Australian desert towards the bedside.
Worshipped by the Australian indegenous people
Plants belonging to the Eremophila (Greek: eremos=desert, philos=friend, i.e. ‘desert-loving plant’) genus are worshipped as sacred by the Australian indigenous people due to their health promoting properties. In parallel to the scientific exploration, a Charity Trust and legal framework will be established to ensure appropriate sharing of benefits and IPR with the indigenous people.
Interdisciplinary Danish-Australian Collaboration
This project can only unfold through the fruitful, interdisciplinary collaboration between the highly competent principal investigators and their respective groups.
From University of Copenhagen, Denmark
Birger Lindberg Møller - Plant biochemistry
Dan Stærk - Drug Design and Pharmacology
Ulrik Gether - Neuroscience
From Australia
University of Melbourne - Mike Bayly - Plant Systematics and Taxonomy
University of South Australia - Susan Semple - natural products chemistry
Wise Owl Consulting - Bevan Buirchell – botany and collection
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Funding
The research project is kindly funded by the Interdisciplinary Synergy Programme, Novo Nordisk Foundation.
Participants
Management
Steering group
Professor Birger Lindberg Møller (chair), Professor Dan Stærk, Professor Ulrik Gether
Research Committee
Birger Lindberg Møller (chair), Dan Stærk, Ulrik Gether, Irini Pateraki, Allison Maree Heskes, Kenneth Kongstad, Claus Juul Løland, Hans Albert Pedersen, Louise Kjærulff, Malene Johanne Petersen, Laura Frendrup McNair, Nanna Heinz, Nikolaj Lervad Hansen