MHFP Translational Research Grant Program
Deadline for Submission: February 1, 2024
Project Period: Maximum 12 months from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025
Who is Invited to Apply: Full time faculty, Residents, Post-Doctoral Researchers
Research Focus: Proposals that target the biology, diagnosis, treatment or outcome of patients with central nervous system anomalies.
Proposals should focus on the above areas and can be either basic, translational or purely clinical in nature. In addition, patient or family advocacy related projects are also welcome. Applications are due at midnight, February 1, 2024. Decisions about winning proposals will be made April 2024. All awardees will be presented at the Annual MHFP Research Symposium in the spring of 2024.
Amount of Funding: Up to $20,000 per proposal
Proposals will be evaluated based on:
- Innovation
- Feasibility of completion within the allotted time and budget
- Potential impact on the biology, diagnosis, treatment or outcome of patients with central nervous system anomalies
- Alignment with the overall goals of the MHFP
2023 MHFP Translational Grant Winners
Dr. Russell Taylor
Post-Doctoral Scholar
Dr. Taylor’s work focuses on the gene CACNA1C, which is implicated in a range of congenital disorders, occurring in brain, cardiac and other tissues. This gene is classically understood to produce a voltage-gated ion channel, Cav1.2, but recent work from my lab has established that it also produces a transcription factor, CCT. His working hypothesis is that dysregulation of this transcription factor CCT is at least partially responsible for the congenital anomalies seen within patients.
Dr. Runwei Yang
Post-Doctoral Scholar
Dr. Yang’s work focuses on Pathogenic SYNGAP1 mutations cause autism, epilepsy, and intellectual disability. His previous study developed splice-switching oligonucleotides (SSOs) targeting SYNGAP1 nonsense-mediated decay in human neurons and brain organoids, holding the possibility for treating SYNGAP1-associated disorders. This project will test the efficacy and toxicity of SSOs in a mouse model of SYNGAP1 haploinsufficiency.