FRAXA Research Foundation has awarded a $90,000 research grant to principal investigator Dr. Xinyu Zhao and postdoctoral fellow Dr. Minjie Shen at the University of Wisconsin. They are investigating whether drugs which boost mitochondria — which provide the energy for cells — could treat Fragile X syndrome. Dr. Zhao explains in this video.
Read moreBhattacharyya, Anita
Anita Bhattacharyya, PhD, and Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, studies how developmental disorders influenced by mental impairment alters the development of the cerebral cortex. Dr. Bhattacharyya specifically focuses on Down syndrome and fragile X syndrome.
FRAXA Research Grants Drive Big Investments in Fragile X
![FRAXA Research Grants Drive Big Investments in Fragile X Meng Li, PhD, Xinyu Zhao, PhD, and Anita Bhattacharyya, PhD](https://www.fraxa.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/xinyu-and-anita-picture-1-1024x682-1-e1522253151231-720x300.jpg)
Most people know that FRAXA supports academic research at many institutions such as Harvard University, University of Pennsylvania, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Yale University. However, FRAXA is also working with more than 30 pharmaceutical companies around the world. Mike spends a lot of his time advising and collaborating with industry partners.
Read moreDeveloping IPS cells to Screen Drugs which can Reactivate the FMR1 Gene
![Developing IPS cells to Screen Drugs which can Reactivate the FMR1 Gene Anita Bhattacharyya, PhD](https://www.fraxa.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Anita-Bhattacharyya-PhD.jpg)
With $146,000 grant from FRAXA Research Foundation over 2012-2013, Drs. Anita Bhattacharyya and Xinyu Zhao at the University of Wisconsin developed a new mouse model of Fragile X syndrome which will enable testing of gene reactivation and gene therapy approaches to treatment. They transplanted human Fragile X neural cells differentiated from induced pluripotent stem cells into brains of neonatal mice and then testing for FMR1 reactivation. In 2015, The John Merck Fund assumed support for this work with a generous grant of $750,000 to the scientists. Results published.
Read moreAltered Cyclic AMP Signaling in Fragile X
![Altered Cyclic AMP Signaling in Fragile X Anita Bhattacharyya](https://www.fraxa.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/Bhattacharyya_Anita-300x300.jpg)
With $125,000 grant from FRAXA Research Foundation over 2006-2008, Dr. Anita Bhattacharyya at the University of Wisconsin Waisman Center investigated abnormalities in cyclic AMP signaling in Fragile X syndrome. Results published.
Read moreGenerating Human Neurons Carrying the Fragile X Mutation
![Generating Human Neurons Carrying the Fragile X Mutation Clive Svendsen, PhD, at University of Wisconsin, FRAXA research grant](https://www.fraxa.org/wp-content/uploads/2004/07/svendsen-clive-221x300.jpg)
With a $50,000 grant from FRAXA Research Foundation, Dr. Clive Svendsen and his team at the University of Wisconsin grew neural stem cells that expressed the Fragile X mutation to help scientists better understand the gene characteristics.
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