Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has received a $20 million gift to boost research in multiple myeloma as well as two grants, totaling $14.5 million, to fund research in leukemia and related blood cancers as well as Wolfram syndrome, a rare genetic disorder.
St. Louis philanthropists Rodger Riney and his wife, Paula, gave $20 million to university researchers to aggressively pursue a cure for blood cancer multiple myeloma, which takes the lives of 11,000 Americans each year. While treatment options and life expectancy have improved, there’s still no cure for the blood cancer. The gift will provide researchers with the needed resources to generate data necessary for competing for larger federal grants.
Founder and former owner of the discount brokerage firm Scottrade, Rodger Riney is waging his own battle with multiple myeloma. After his diagnosis in 2015, he became an advocate of multiple myeloma research and treatment, including serving on the board of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.
Washington University is widely recognized as a leading multiple myeloma research center. In 2015, the National Cancer Institute awarded $13.7 million to the university, which resulted in the creation of the Center for Multiple Myeloma Nanotherapy.
Leukemia Research:
The National Institute of Health (NIH) has extended support for the School of Medicine’s prestigious Specialized Program in Research Excellence (SPORE) in leukemia with a $11.5 million grant. Washington University is one of only three academic centers nationally to receive this grant.
The goal of the program is to develop biomarkers and treatments for leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes and to develop and promote innovative translational leukemia research. Five projects, including clinical trials of new treatments for different types of leukemia, are being funded through this grant.
The grant also provides funding for administrative support, resources in biostatistics and infrastructure for the processing of biospecimens, such as tumor samples, with patient permission as well as funding pilot studies.
Wolfram Syndrome
Researchers have received a five-year, $3 million grant to study Wolfram Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that causes neurologic problems, insulin-dependent diabetes and other serious conditions.
The new grant from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development of the National Institute of Health (NIH) will help fund ongoing research at the university’s Wolfram clinic. It will also support the university’s partnership with researchers in the United Kingdom who have launched a clinical trial to evaluate a possible treatment.
Wolfram Syndrome, which affects 1 in 500,000 people, is caused by mutations in a single gene. The WSF-1 gene linked to Wolfram Syndrome, was first identified in 1998 by Dr. M. Alan Permutt, a former faculty member. The disorder has been considered a very severe form of Type 1 diabetes. As the disease progresses, the patient develops hearing and vision loss and neurologic problems.
The world’s first multidisciplinary clinic for children with the disorder was established by the university in 2010. It was funded in part by MIR and the Snow Foundation, an organization dedicated to fundraising for Wolfram research.
Laboratory Equipment Suppliers Meet Face to Face with WUSTL Researchers at Upcoming Event:
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Laboratory Equipment suppliers wishing to increase their 2018 sales should plan on attending the 20th annual BioResearch Product Faire™ at Washington University in St. Louis on Wednesday, April 19, 2019.
Last year, this event attracted 227 attendees. Of these attendees, 63 were purchasing agents, professors and post docs, and 42 were lab managers. These attendees came from 28 different research buildings and 42 on-campus departments.
For more information about exhibiting at this biotech trade show call (530) 272-6675 or visit the link below:
This biotechnology trade show is an excellent opportunity for life science researchers and laboratory equipment suppliers to network and discuss their research needs and solutions. Researchers are invited to attend the on-campus trade fair for free. For more information or to pre-register, click the link below.
