CA$2.4 million toward gene therapy for human degenerative retina...( This release is available in The c...),Health
This release is available in French.
Montreal, December 3rd, 2008 A Canadian and American research group including the team of Dr. Robert Koenekoop from the Research Institute at the Montreal Children's Hospital of the MUHC has just been awarded $2.4 million from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Foundation Fighting Blindness Canada (FFB). This five-year grant will fund an ambitious research project to develop innovative gene therapies for a number of human degenerative retinal diseases.
A multidisciplinary and complementary team
The complementary skills of the five research teams involved will provide the multidisciplinarity required for success in this research project. The project will be led by Dr. Robert Molday, a cell biologist from the University of British Columbia. The team's other experts in gene therapy are Dr. Jim Hu from the University of Toronto, and Dr. Bill Hauswirth from the University of Florida. Dr. Marinko Sarunic of Simon Fraser University will be responsible for the retinal imaging component of the project.
As the team's clinician-scientist, Dr. Robert Koenekoop will oversee the visual function testing and the gene analyses, first in animals and then in humans with a variety of retinal degenerations. After several years of testing in animals, human patients will be injected with the "new healthy gene" that aims to partially restore vision.
Innovative gene therapies
"We hope to begin a human gene-therapy trial in Canada within five years for three specific degenerative retinal diseases: Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA), Stargardt macular dystrophy and retinitis pigmentosa," Dr. Koenekoop explained. "Previous attempts with the gene named RPE65 have been highly conclusive for LCA: we believe that we can learn from that and advance even more quickly this time
'/>"/>
| Contact: Isabelle Kling isabelle.kling@muhc.mcgill.ca 514-843-1560 McGill University Health Centre Source:Eurekalert |
Related medicine news :
1. NewCardio Restructures 2007 Financing, Receives $2.8 Million Additional Cash and Improves Capital Structure
2. Southern Research Wins $37 Million Black & Veatch Sub-Contract for Biological Threat Reduction Program
3. VirtualScopics Backlog Rises to a Record $27 Million
4. Holiday Season Brings New Hope to Millions Who Suffer from Common Chronic Health Disorder
5. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Awards Grants to Nine Communities In Launch of $44 Million National Program to Reverse Childhood Obesity
6. Sutter Health Invests Hundreds of Millions in Employee Pension
7. Red Cross Asks America to Help Raise $30 Million in 30 Days
8. Condell Health Network and Medical Center to Pay $36 Million Settlement After Self-Reporting Possible Health-Care Fraud
9. In Recognition of WORLD AIDS DAY, Charlotte Bobcats Power Forward, Emeka Okafor, Launches Mobile Texting Campaign in Support of the One Million African Lives Initiative
10. QLT to repurchase up to US$ 50 million of common shares - Modified "Dutch Auction" tender offer to commence on or about December 4, 2008
11. ProstateCradle.com Launches the First “External Prostate Massager” by Enviromax, a Sensational Way to Help Millions of Men Have Healthier Prostate Glands
| Copyright © 2003-2009 Bio-Medicine. All rights reserved. ABOUT | CONTACT US | DISCLAIMER | PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS AND CONDITIONS |  |