Word is just in that New York's Hospital for Special Surgery has received a $5.6 million grant from the Tow Foundation to establish a Genomics Center to focus specifically on two autoimmune diseases: Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus. With the funding, the new Center will focus on researching the genomics of lupus (and RA) patients, as well as how certain genetic responses that cause autoimmune diseases are triggered. With medical science's next big thing coming from a better, more complete understand of genes, this investment in autoimmune disease research is cause for hope.

Genomics is the study of an organism's complete set of genetic material, including gene sequence, structure and function, regulation of gene expression, and gene-environment interactions. [...]

Over the last two decades, scientists have discovered that certain proteins, including tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-6, are associated with rheumatoid arthritis and have used this knowledge to revolutionize treatments for patients. Researchers have also identified proteins associated with lupus that have advanced therapies. Basic, translational and clinical investigators at HSS have worked together and been major contributors to the progress that has been made.

The HSS Genomics Center will use genomic approaches to understand the regulation and function of the genes associated with these proteins, as well as identify new genes associated with lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. The goal is to develop more effective treatments with fewer side effects, and researchers expect to be testing new therapeutics in animal models by year four of the grant. [...]

 

"We are very excited to try to understand how genes involved in lupus and rheumatoid arthritis are regulated, because it would represent a new way to drive therapy. It is called epigenetic therapy, meaning therapy targeted around how the environment controls gene expression and thus the environmental causes of disease," said Dr. Ivashkiv [Director of the new Center].

You can read the press release in detail here.

For the past years, you have taken us at the top of the Great Nonprofits list at GreatNonprofits.org. We are asking you to do it again for 2013! Please visit the following link and give us a great review. Your new review might even get us a "Hall of Fame" award!

The reviews start anew for the year, so even if you have already reviewed us before, please give us another review! Thank you!

Here are just a few samples of what you have said about us:

"ksoto" says:

Having a chronic illness is a very lonely place but they make sure you are not alone. I think if they had the money they would have a bigger space for a wellness center for services as well. They are committed to service and helping those of us with autoimmune issues. I would be lost without them.