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Rady scientists receive funding support for research to advance precision medicine

December 17, 2024 — 

Researchers at the Max Rady College of Medicine have been awarded $510,000 in funding to support four cutting-edge projects aimed at addressing some of the world’s most persistent and deadly diseases.

The funding will back the work of Dr. Galen Wright, Dr. Mark Nachtigal, Dr. Sachin Katyal and Dr. Tanveer Sharif, whose combined research spans the fields of neurological disorders, cancer and therapy resistance.

Each project is focused on advancing precision medicine, an emerging field that tailors medical treatment to the unique characteristics of each patient, including their genetic profile, environment and lifestyle.

Unlike traditional treatments that primarily manage symptoms, precision medicine targets the root causes of diseases, providing a more personalized and potentially more effective approach. By investigating the molecular mechanisms behind these diseases and developing targeted therapies, these researchers aim to break through the limitations of current treatments.

“These groundbreaking studies have the potential to transform patient care, improve survival rates and enhance quality of life,” said Dr. Peter Nickerson, vice-provost (health sciences) and dean of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences. “We are incredibly proud of these researchers, whose innovative efforts are pushing the boundaries of medical science and could lead to life-changing treatments for patients in Canada and beyond.”

Dr. Mark Nachtigal a professor of biochemistry and medical genetics.Dr. Mark Nachtigal

Nachtigal, a professor of biochemistry and medical genetics, has been awarded a two-year grant of $130,000 to further his research into a groundbreaking treatment for chemotherapy-resistant ovarian cancer, one of the deadliest cancers affecting women.

His work, supported by Ovarian Cancer Canada and the Cancer Research Society, is focused on developing a novel drug that targets cancer cells in ways that traditional therapies cannot, offering new hope for patients whose cancers no longer respond to chemotherapy.

Ovarian cancer frequently develops resistance to treatment, leaving women with few options and poor survival prospects. By advancing this innovative drug, Nachtigal’s research has the potential to revolutionize ovarian cancer treatment, offering an effective alternative that could improve survival rates and enhance the quality of life for patients.

Dr. Galen Wright an assistant professor of pharmacology and therapeutics and Canada Research Chair in neurogenomics.Dr. Galen Wright

Wright, an assistant professor of pharmacology and therapeutics and Canada Research Chair in neurogenomics, has been awarded a two-year grant of $130,000 to explore new treatments for Rett syndrome, a rare and devastating neurological disorder that primarily affects young girls.

Rett syndrome leads to severe developmental delays, loss of motor skills and cognitive impairments. Currently, there are no effective treatments.

Supported by the Scottish Rite Charitable Foundation of Canada, Wright’s research will investigate the underlying mechanisms of the disorder to identify potential therapeutic strategies. By gaining a deeper understanding of how Rett syndrome progresses, his work aims to uncover treatments that could alleviate, or even reverse, its effects.

The research not only offers hope for children with Rett syndrome but could also pave the way for new approaches to treating other genetic disorders with similar underlying causes, such as fragile X syndrome and some forms of autism.

Dr. Sachin Katyal an associate professor of pharmacology and therapeutics.Dr. Sachin Katyal

Katyal, an associate professor of pharmacology and therapeutics, is focusing on overcoming chemotherapy resistance in glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive and treatment-resistant forms of brain cancer.

Glioblastoma grows rapidly, infiltrating healthy brain tissue, and is known for its high recurrence rate even after surgery and chemotherapy. As the cancer progresses, patients often experience a severe decline in quality of life, with few effective treatment options remaining.

His two-year project, supported by a $130,000 grant from the Cancer Research Society, targets a protein that helps glioblastoma tumours survive chemotherapy. Katyal’s research aims to inhibit the protein responsible for the tumour’s survival, potentially resensitizing it to chemotherapy and offering patients more effective treatment options.

If successful, his work could significantly improve survival rates and provide a new avenue for treating this aggressive cancer.

Dr. Tanveer Sharif, an associate professor of pathology. Dr. Tanveer Sharif

Sharif, an associate professor of pathology, is focused on a different aspect of glioblastoma research. While Katyal’s work centres on protein inhibition, Sharif’s research examines how glioblastoma tumours adapt their metabolism to survive the harsh environment of the brain, making them resistant to conventional therapies.

Funded by the Brain Canada Foundation and the Cancer Research Society, Sharif’s research is supported by a two-year grant of $130,000.

Sharif aims to identify metabolic shifts in tumours and develop targeted therapies that exploit these vulnerabilities. By addressing the tumour’s metabolic adaptation, Sharif’s research has the potential to reduce the chances of recurrence and improve survival rates, offering a new approach to glioblastoma treatment that could complement existing strategies.

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