November 20, 2006 --

Conquer Chiari & Column of Hope Award Research Grants

Conquer Chiari is proud to announce the results of the Conquer Chiari/Column Of Hope joint call for research proposals.

The call for proposals generated 23 proposals from leading doctors and scientists around the world on a variety of exciting topics.  Conquer Chiari and Column of Hope evaluated the proposals separately and each selected one researcher for a one-year $50,000 award.

For Conquer Chiari, the proposals were reviewed by Ray D'Alonzo, PhD; Dr. Stephen Hulley, Dr. Regina Bland, and Rick Labuda.  The review committee took into account scientific merit and alignment with the goals of the Conquer Chiari Research Agenda, and unanimously recommended a winner to the Conquer Chiari Board of Directors, who subsequently approved the selection and the award.

Thus, Dr. Georgy Koentges, Group Leader and Senior Lecturer in Developmental Systems Biology at the University College London was awarded a grant for his project, "Microarray-based discovery of genes active in post-otic neural crest at critical stages and places of head morphogenesis affected in Chiari I/ II".

The specific aims of his proposal are:

1. Determine gene-expression profiles of post-otic neural crest (PONC) cells at two critical time points of their development (E10 and E14) in mouse embryos using a combination of laser-capture microdissection, single cell cDNA amplification and ensuing Affymetrix microarray analysis of wild-type and transgenic mice in which PONC cells were genetically labeled.

2. Reconstruct the underlying molecular networks of regulation, i.e. establish
   molecular ‘command hierarchies’ using additional data sets such as those of
   regulatory regions in the mouse genome and other available information.

3. Establish a list of high-priority candidate genes for future clinical geneticists to
   test for mutations in human Chiari patient cohorts.

At the risk of oversimplifying a complex project, Dr. Koentges will use a mouse model to identify what genes are active at critical stages of embryological development which he believes correspond to when the defects associated with Chiari occur.  This will in turn act as a stepping stone to finding the specific gene or genes responsible for Chiari in people.

Dr. Koentges is a highly regarded researcher and his work has been published on the cover of the prestigious journal, Nature.  The entire Conquer Chiari team is excited that he will be focusing on Chiari, and we look forward to the results.

Column of Hope has selected Dr. Marcus Stoodley, and Australian Neurosurgeon, to receive an award for his project, "Studies of fluid flow in Chiari malformation and syringomyelia".

The specific aims of this proposal are:

1. To determine whether there is damage to the normal blood-spinal cord barrier in animal models of syringomyelia;

2. To determine whether fluid enters syrinxes across such damaged barriers from the spinal vasculature; and

3. To model the flow of fluid and resulting stresses in the spinal cord in the presence and absence of a Chiari I malformation that may influence the formation or expansion of a syrinx.

Dr. Stoodley has published extensively on syringomyelia and his work in that area will continue with a focus on understanding if syrinxes form due to damage to the veins and arteries in the spinal cord.

Mark Kane, the President of Column of Hope, is very optimistic that Dr. Stoodley's work will advance our fundamental understanding of how syrinxes form and in turn how they can be treated and prevented.

You can read more about the research of Dr. Koentges and Dr. Stoodley in this month's In The Spotlight.

Woman Runs NYC Marathon For Her Nephew and Research

Michele Schaller has joined the battle in a big way.  Read about it in her own words...

About a year and a half ago, my now two and a half year old nephew, Ryan, was diagnosed with Arnold Chiari Malformation. Our family was devastated when we heard of the diagnosis and knew very little information about the disease. An MRI of the brain was recommended for Ryan and revealed the presence of ACM after he was experiencing some difficulty with feeding and gaining weight. Ryan has met with several neurologists and neurosurgeons and thankfully surgery is not recommended at this time.

In the past year Ryan has been doing better with eating and has been gaining weight slowly. Our family prays everyday that Ryan is able to live with ACM without needing surgery and without pain. We are aware of the alternative and try to make contributions to ACM related foundations in the hopes for continued research.
On November 5th, 2006 I ran the New York City Marathon in honor of Ryan and in the hopes of raising awareness for Arnold Chiari Malformation and its related diseases. With the help of wonderful family and friends I was able to raise $4,000 for research!

Michele and Ryan

Way to go Michele! Thanks for standing up and joining the battle.
 

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