Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation Funds Weizmann Institute Neuroscientist; First Grant Awarded by CRPF to Fund Spinal Cord Research in Israel

5/17/2004

From: Maggie Goldberg of the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation, 973-379-2690 or media@crpf.org

SPRINGFIELD, N.J., May 17 -- The Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation (CRPF) announced today the results of its first research funding cycle of 2004 and one of the exceptional grantees is at the Weizmann Institute in Rehovot, Israel. This is the first time CRPF has funded spinal cord injury research in the state of Israel.

Only 15 neuroscientists were awarded funding in CRPF's first grant cycle of 2004, including the Weizmann Institute's Mike Fainzilber, Ph.D. Fainzilber will receive a two-year grant of $149,600 USD to further his work on investigating changes in gene expression after injury to a nerve.

"CRPF has proudly supported the work of many of the most accomplished neuroscientists in the world," said Christopher Reeve, CRPF's Chairman of the Board. ""The Weizmann Institute, as I saw first-hand when I visited Israel last year, has established preeminence in the field of paralysis research." Dr. Fainzilber will identify changes in genes that are activated very early in the regenerative process, and attempt to modulate the injury- induced changes with the application of a unique peptide. Peptides are compounds made of two or more amino acids that combine to make proteins. The data generated using this model has the potential to identify new molecules important for regenerative growth and the potential to move the field forward in an innovative and significant way. Identification of such genes will hopefully allow their future exploitation in new clinical approaches to enhance regeneration in patients with nerve injuries.

"We were very glad to learn that CRPF decided to support this project, since we hope that once we know the full complement of these genes, researchers will find ways to bypass the system and activate them in nerves which cannot normally regenerate," said Dr. Fainzilber. He added, "CRPF support is crucial to us for two reasons, firstly because without this financial support we simply would not be able to carry out the project, and secondly because it is very encouraging to know that we have the attention and hopefully future input and support from some of the best people in the field of nerve regeneration."

Dr. Fainzilber's inspiration to pursue a cure for paralysis was motivated by the 1976 Israeli commando operation at Entebbe (Uganda) which successfully freed 104 hostages, the passengers and crew of Air France Flight 139, which had been hijacked by PFLP terrorists. Israeli soldier Sorin Hershko was wounded in the neck during the operation and became completely paralyzed. Dr. Fainzilber, who was a young teenager working on a summer biology project on regeneration in marine invertebrates at the time, recalls, "It seemed to me to be the height of painful irony that a starfish I was studying could be cut into six different pieces and each piece would regenerate, while a small wound in the wrong place could forever paralyze a human being in the prime of his life."

Dr. Fainzilber says of his work, "Every nation and every generation in human history has had its own Christopher Reeve and Sorin Hershko. We hope that with the help of the CRPF we can make our own small contribution to the chance that the coming generations will be spared this scourge."

Every research application submitted to CRPF is reviewed by the Foundation's Science Advisory Council, a panel of accomplished neuroscientists who volunteer their time and expertise to evaluate proposals based on scientific merit, relevance to CRPF's research priorities, and promise for clinical application. This rigorous process ensures that CRPF funds only the most meritorious science that is targeted at developing effective therapies for paralysis and dysfunctions caused by spinal cord injury and other central nervous system disorders.

CRPF's Individual Research Grants are awarded twice yearly with application deadlines in June and December of each year. For a complete list of grantees or more information on CRPF's research programs and the research projects that are funded, visit: http://www.christopherreeve.org/research/researchmain.cfm

The Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation (CRPF) is committed to funding research that develops treatments and cures for paralysis caused by spinal cord injury and other central nervous system disorders. The Foundation also vigorously works to improve the quality of life for people living with disabilities through its grants program, paralysis resource center, and advocacy efforts. For more information, please call 973-379-2690 or visit http://www.ChristopherReeve.org.