Professor Giovanna Bermano's Projects (15)

Bioactivity of a compound derived from Amaryllidaceae (Daffodil) in a C.elegans model of obesity Sep 1, 2023 - May 30, 2024
A previous proof-of-concept study demonstrated that an alkaloid extracted from daffodil bulbs by Agroceutical Products Ltd (APL), alongside sustainable galanthamine production (alkaloid used for Alzheimer’s disease management), selectively reduced re... Read More about Bioactivity of a compound derived from Amaryllidaceae (Daffodil) in a C.elegans model of obesity.

Exploring the anti-atherogenic properties of a compound derived from Amaryllidaceae (Daffodil) Sep 1, 2023 - Apr 30, 2024
Agroceutical Products Ltd (APL) produces sustainable quantities of the naturally derived alkaloid galanthamine from daffodils, which is a key active pharmaceutical used for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Daffodils contain an abundance of other... Read More about Exploring the anti-atherogenic properties of a compound derived from Amaryllidaceae (Daffodil).

The role of Glutathione Peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and the GPX4 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs713041, in metabolic syndrome associated vascular dysfunction Sep 1, 2023 - Apr 30, 2025
High blood sugar, high blood pressure, and obesity are all features of the ‘umbrella term’ metabolic syndrome (MetS) which affects 1 in 3 people over 50 years old in the UK. MetS increases the risk of developing heart disease and in particular the co... Read More about The role of Glutathione Peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and the GPX4 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs713041, in metabolic syndrome associated vascular dysfunction.

Valorisation of biomass from seed potatoes production Jun 12, 2023 - May 30, 2024
In the potato industry, over 800 thousand tons of dry foliage are produced, which could be turned into high value chemicals/products across many industries. The cooperative is looking for new value chains and to add value to the by-product from their... Read More about Valorisation of biomass from seed potatoes production.

Investigating the impact of adiposity-redox defence interaction on redox homeostasis and inflammatory and cancer-related pathways in human colonocytes Mar 15, 2021 - Mar 14, 2023
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer and the second most common cause of cancer-related death.
Increased body fat have been reported as one of the main factors responsible for the rise in colorectal cancer.
For this reason, a major f... Read More about Investigating the impact of adiposity-redox defence interaction on redox homeostasis and inflammatory and cancer-related pathways in human colonocytes.

Valorisation of cold press rapeseed oil processing co-streams Oct 1, 2021 - Sep 30, 2027
Mackintosh of Glendavney (Mackintosh) are the largest producer of extra virgin cold pressed rapeseed oil in Scotland with the potential to expand production. A by-product from this process is rapeseed cake, which is currently sold for livestock feed... Read More about Valorisation of cold press rapeseed oil processing co-streams.

Valorisation of Biomass from the Daffodil Growing Industry Oct 1, 2021 - Sep 30, 2025
The UK is a world leader in the commercial production of daffodils, with Scottish-based farmers’ cooperative Grampian Growers Ltd (GG) at the forefront of the industry. The majority of daffodil biomass produced by GG is used for bulb and flower expo... Read More about Valorisation of Biomass from the Daffodil Growing Industry.

Bioactivity of compounds derived from Amaryllicaea (Daffodil) Feb 1, 2021 - Jul 31, 2022
Heart Failure (HF) is a long-term complication of cardiovascular (high blood pressure and heart attack) and cardiovascular-related (obesity and metabolic syndrome) disorders and of drug-induced cardiotoxicity. HF is characterised by thickening (hype... Read More about Bioactivity of compounds derived from Amaryllicaea (Daffodil).

Reducing Food Waste Feb 1, 2021 - Jan 31, 2023
The project will analyse fish waste (including heads, frame, tails and trimmings) and process components to extract and refine by-products (oils, nutrients & minerals) creating marketable products to maximise value from the supply chain, reducing the... Read More about Reducing Food Waste.

Natural Products from Scottish Non-Food Crops as Multi-Drug Resistance Effectors in Cancer Cells Nov 1, 2020 - Jul 31, 2022
Cultivation of non-food crops for high value chemicals’ production for the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, food and cosmeceutical industries is a growing area of industrial biotechnology. Plants have been used as a source of traditional medicines and... Read More about Natural Products from Scottish Non-Food Crops as Multi-Drug Resistance Effectors in Cancer Cells.

A human Glutathione Peroxidase 4 3 untranslated region knock-in mouse model to study susceptibility to colon cancer in obesity Apr 1, 2017 - Dec 31, 2021
Colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence is rising steadily and in parallel with increasing prevalence of obesity in Scotland. Recent data indicate that the highest incidence rates are in the North East. The increasing prevalence of obes... Read More about A human Glutathione Peroxidase 4 3 untranslated region knock-in mouse model to study susceptibility to colon cancer in obesity.

The in vitro effect of natural products and anti-cancer agents: targeting the efflux transporter ABCG2 Jul 1, 2017 - Dec 31, 2019
Medicinal use of natural products, such as, extracts from plants have existed for many years particularly in China and are now widely available around the world. Several different types of cancer including breast cancer are becoming insensitive and r... Read More about The in vitro effect of natural products and anti-cancer agents: targeting the efflux transporter ABCG2.

Exploring the relationship between age-related zinc deficiency and obesity and the extent of myocardial damage following acute myocardial infarction Oct 1, 2018 - Jan 1, 2021
Zinc (Zn 2+) is a metal found in trace amounts in the body and plays an essential role in maintaining the healthy functioning of most organs, including the heart. The body does not store zinc in large quantities and so replenishment of Zn 2+ through... Read More about Exploring the relationship between age-related zinc deficiency and obesity and the extent of myocardial damage following acute myocardial infarction.

Extracting added value from the Seaweed Industry - a search for novel anti-obesity agents Oct 1, 2018 - Dec 31, 2022
Seaweed farming is a growing industry in the UK, with the majority of the biomass being used for the extraction of high yield products such as aliginates, or for use as biofuels.

However, a significant amount of the biomass remains un-used and t... Read More about Extracting added value from the Seaweed Industry - a search for novel anti-obesity agents.

Development of Fast Field MRI as a novel method to monitor liver regeneration in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) Mar 1, 2018 - Feb 28, 2019