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Ottawa scientists awarded $205,000 by Parkinson Society Canada with funds raised in SuperWalk


Ottawa Reserach Event - November 4, 2009TORONTO, ON, November 4, 2009 . . . Four Ottawa researchers share $205,000 from Parkinson Society Canada to identify a cure for Parkinson’s disease thanks to the efforts of 13,000 SuperWalk for Parkinson participants, 641 from Ottawa.

Dr. David Park, Professor, Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine and Assistant Dean, Research and Special Projects University of Ottawa, Dr. Marc Germain, Ms. Sarah Hewitt, and Mr. Piotr Kolodziej are being recognized at a Parkinson Society Ottawa celebration event, November 4th. Funds presented to the grant recipients were raised in SuperWalk for Parkinson’s, an annual fundraising event that has been taking place in Ottawa for 14 years.

The grant recipients’ diverse research projects involve searching for molecular relationships to understand cell communication, identifying why cells die, finding out how certain molecules modify one another and which enzymes are most important in the human brain.

According to Joyce Gordon, President and CEO of Parkinson Society Canada, the organization has a long tradition of funding Canadian-based Parkinson’s research. “Along with the support services, advocacy and education that we provide, this breadth of research offers hope for a cure for people living every day with Parkinson’s,” says Gordon.

Funded projects are:
  • Dr. David Park, (one year $45,000 grant) who hopes his pilot project grant on the Pink1-Bag2 pathway in regulating domaminergic loss will identify each step in the process that leads to the neurodegeneration that results in Parkinson’s disease. Park ultimately hopes to identify the target for a new drug or therapy that could halt the process and prevent the disease.
  • Dr. Marc Germain (two year $100,000 basic research fellowship) to investigate the Mitochondrial disfunction in the etiology of Parkinson’s disease.
  • University of Ottawa Graduate Student Ms. Sarah Hewitt (two year $30,000 Harrison McCain Foundation Graduate Student Award) for Understanding the role of DJ-1 in Parkinson’s disease: Role of VDAC1, studying the molecular relationship between proteins linked to familial Parkinson’s disease.
  • University of Ottawa Graduate Student Piotr Kolodziej (two-year $30,000 IBM Employees Charitable Fund) for Exploring lysosomal cathepsins as candidate ‘synucleinases’ research to identify enzymes that will clear the protein cells. Kolodziej hopes his findings will help reduce the impact on the healthcare system.
“We are delighted to support Parkinson Society Canada’s peer reviewed research program through activities such as SuperWalk – and we are very pleased to see local researchers being recognized nationally for their excellent work,” says Dennise Taylor-Gilhen, CEO Parkinson Society Ottawa.

Over 100,000 Canadians have Parkinson’s, a neurodegenerative disease. Currently there is no cure. Movement is normally controlled by dopamine, a chemical that carries signals between the nerves in the brain. When cells that normally produce dopamine die, the symptoms of Parkinson’s appear. People can live with Parkinson's for years.

Parkinson Society Canada funds pilot grants, new investigator awards, basic research and clinical fellowships as well as graduate awards to encourage innovative ideas and foster emerging Canadian scientists who choose careers to further understand Parkinson’s disease.

This year, Parkinson Society Canada is funding 28 projects across Canada totaling $1,079,340. Grant applications are peer reviewed by Parkinson Society Canada’s Scientific Advisory Board comprised of Canada’s leading neurologists and respected members of the scientific community.

Parkinson Society Canada, with its 12 regional partners, and over 235 chapters and support groups, is the only Canadian charitable organization dedicated to research, education, support and advocacy on behalf of over 100,000 Canadians living with Parkinson’s. 2010 will mark PSC’s 45th year of service in Canada.