MDA AWARDS $411K TO BAYLOR RESEARCHER: PROJECT TO ANALYZE 1,500 GENES

TUCSON, Ariz., Aug. 18, 2010 – Lee-Jun Wong, Ph.D., is busier than ever, and her Houston-based laboratory soon should be able to streamline the genetic sequencing that’s so important to finding treatments for mitochondrial myopathy.  The Muscular Dystrophy Association Board of Directors has approved $411,000 in research funding for Wong to establish an effective method to analyze all 1,500 genes that may be associated with mitochondrial disorders. The investigation should reduce demand for the more than 10,000 genetic tests currently being performed each year by her laboratory at the Baylor School of Medicine in Houston

Lee-Jun Wong, Ph.D.

Wong is one of 38 research leaders now receiving multi-year awards from MDA. Her three-year project is part of the $14.1 million in new research funding approved during the Association’s July Board meeting.  This is the second MDA research grant Wong has received from MDA.

To learn more about Wong listen to her podcast and read her transcript.

Wong notes that MDA funding brings many young investigators into the field of neuromuscular disease research.   “I’m an example,’’ she said. “My first grant (in 2001) was from MDA. MDA grants help bring innovative ideas and technologies for neuromuscular disease research and diagnosis. This new MDA award should help speed the molecular diagnosis of mitochondrial neuromuscular diseases.’’

“Dr. Wong and her lab collaborate with researchers around the globe,” said Valerie Cwik, M.D., MDA executive vice president - research and medical director.  “The genetic insights she’s pioneering should help to unravel the mysteries of mitochondrial myopathies.’’

Research grant applications are peer-reviewed twice yearly by MDA’s Medical and Scientific Advisory Committees, comprising world-renowned experts in neuromuscular disease research.  The most promising of some 500 applications received each year are recommended for funding to the MDA Board of Directors.
           
According to R. Rodney Howell, M.D, chairman of the MDA Board of Directors, “Generous Americans responding to the annual Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, and to thousands of other special events benefitting families served by MDA, deserve much of the credit for the rapid progress being made toward treatments for neuromuscular diseases. It’s their strong belief in MDA’s capable stewardship of public funds that’s enabling so much to be accomplished – even in a sluggish economy.”

Often credited for its leadership in building the field of neuromuscular disease research, MDA has simultaneously enhanced clinical care for individuals affected by muscle disorders, achieving important quality of life and longevity gains.  The Association, which annually invests almost $39 million on research worldwide, is the first nonprofit to earn a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Medical Association (“for significant and lasting contributions to the health and welfare of humanity”).

MDA-funded scientists have uncovered the genetic defects that cause several forms of muscular dystrophy; Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT); a form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease); childhood spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and other neuromuscular conditions. Now entering a period of increasing numbers of clinical trials of potential therapeutics, the Association’s network of approximately 200 hospital-affiliated clinics is instrumental in identifying appropriate candidates for clinical trials, and in helping to refine outcome measures for those clinical trials.

More than 1 million people in America are affected by neuromuscular diseases.
Residents of the Houston area who are affected by any of the more than 40 muscle diseases covered by MDA’s program can receive excellent medical care at The MDA Neuromuscular Clinic at Methodist Neurological Institute and at the MDA Clinic at Texas Children’s Hospital. Individuals living with ALS are encouraged to visit the MDA/ALS Center at Methodist Neurological Institute.

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research see outstanding B-roll of MDA research at http://www.mda.org/research/gaag/2010/b-roll.html.  The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education. For more information on MDA Research and Programs go to: http://www.mda.org.

For more information about these new grants, visit MDA's "Grants at a Glance" an online slideshow that showcases each grant with photos and detailed information.