RESULTS OF SMA-EUROPE CALL FOR PROJECTS 2012

SMA Europe Board members met in The Hague, The Netherlands, on 3rd March 2013, where they allocated funding to project applications recommended by the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). Both the SAB and SMA Europe board members are pictured above.

The awarded projects are:

1. Dr. Shingo Kariya, Columbia University (New York, USA): "Elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying maturation and remodelling defects of the neuromuscular system in SMA". Please click here for a lay summary.

2. Dr. Martine Barkats, INSERM (France): "Optimization of AAV9-SMN gene therapy for SMA". Please click here for a lay summary.

3. Dr. Frédéric Allain, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (Switzerland): "Unravelling physiopathological mechanisms implicated in SMA by using disease-specific human pluripotent stem cells".

A 33% approval rate for this Call.

OUR RESEARCH PROJECTS:

 (for a list of SMA Trust funded publications, please click here).

BREAKING NEWS

The SMA Trust is the sole funder of a £300,000 project to prepare the UK for SMA Clinical Trials.

Please click here for the full press release.

ACTIVE AWARDS

1. Dr. Rafael Yanez, The Royal Holloway, University of London: "Long term follow up of transgene expression in vivo in mouse motor neurons after intra-uterine injection". Bridging salary £5,269. End date: July 2012.

2. University of Oxford, Chair of Motor Neuron Biology: £100,000.

3. Professor Thomas Gillingwater, University of Edinburgh: "Muscle pathology and biomarkers in SMA". £62,000. Click here for more information. End date: December 2012.

4. Professor Francesco Muntoni, Institute of Child Health: "Improving Standards of Care and Translational Research in Spinal Muscular Atrophy". £300,000. End date April 2015.

5. Professor Thomas Gillingwater, University of Edinburgh: "Developing novel small molecule-based therapies for SMA". £89,710. End date: December 2014. Please click here for a lay summary.

ACTIVE PROJECTS FUNDED BY THE SMA TRUST UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF SMA-EUROPE (Click here for details)

COMPLETED AWARDS

(Click on the project title for more information).

1. Professor Kay Davies and Dr. Kevin Talbot, Oxford University (2007-2009): "Motor neuron disorders research into SMA".

2. Dr. Sarah Boddy, Oxford University (2008-2009): "Cellular models of spinal muscular atrophy using RNA interference"

3. Dr. Mara Almeida, Oxford University (2010): "Investigating the molecular basis of the specificity of motor neuron degeneration in SMA".

4. Dr. Debra Shaw, Exeter University (2008): "Characterization of the SMN2,3,6 protein: is a minimal SMN protein functionally possible?"

5. Exeter University (2009): "Identification of RNA cargo transported by SMN in neuronal cells".

6. Professor Azzouz, Sheffield University (2008): "Viral vectors-mediated SMN replacement in SMA".

7. deCODE Genetics Inc., USA (2005): "Development of a drug for clinical trials".

8. Professor Francesco Muntoni, the RPMS, Hammersmith Hospital, London: "Establishing a UK clinical network to monitor strength and functional measurements in spinal muscular atrophy".

9. Dr. Angelika Biba, Oxford University (2010): "Identification of the critical time point for SMN replacement therapy using a tetracycline repressible SMN transgenic mouse model".

COMPLETED PROJECTS FUNDED BY THE SMA TRUST UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF SMA EUROPE: Click here for details.