Batten Disease Family Association

Research Grants Information 2010

.“The BDFA’s vision is to bring light to Batten Disease by being the central point of excellence in the UK for supporting affected families and to facilitate research into the disease.”

In support of our Mission Statement the BDFA has allocated specific funds for research. Under the BDFA Research Grants: ‘Application and Approval Procedure 2010 grants have been awarded to facilitate scientific research into the disease mechanisms, potential cures and treatments for Batten Disease/Neuronal Ceroid Lipofusinoses (NCL).

Following on from the success of our BDFA Research Grant Call in 2008 & 2009, when over 30K was awarded in Batten Disease Research Grants directly to UK scientists, we are pleased to announce that £19500 has been awarded (under Tier 2 applications) in 2010.

Research Awards for 2010

·         £4500 : Fee support for Thomas Kuhl , (PhD Student- Pathogenic impact of immune-related cells in two models of NCL) Dr. Jon Cooper, Kings College London

·         £5000: Investigation of the effect of btn1 on Golgi morphology in Saccharomyces

Cerevisiae.  Dr. Sara Mole, UCL

·         £5000: Investigating the mechanism of Retinal dysfunction in Batten disease

Dr. Hannah Mitchison, Institute of Child Health, UCL

·         £5000 : Role of astrocyctes in the pathogenesis of JNCL,

Dr. Brenda Williams & Dr. Jon Cooper, Kings College London

Should you require any further information, please contact Heather Band, BDFA Trustee & Research Grants Coordinator, research@bdfa-uk.org.uk or on 01603 760111 (via Georgette Ward).