Neuromuscular Research Partnership

The Neuromuscular Research Partnership (NRP) is a result of an agreement between the ALS Society of Canada, Muscular Dystrophy Canada (MDC), CIHR's Institute of Genetics, the Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction and the Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis.

Collectively, the partners have invested approximately $9.3 million in research between 2000-2001 and 2007-2008 and another $2.1 million in future year commitments towards funding research that will ultimately result in discovering the causes, treatments and an eventual cure for neuromuscular disorders.

The Partners are pleased to announce the results of the NRP competition. Nineteen relevant operating grant applications were received for the March 1, 2008 deadline, of which six were approved for funding through the Open Operating Grant Program (OGP)* and five were approved for funding through the NRP.**

Name(s)/ Institution Paid/ Title	Co-Applicants	Average Annual Operating Amount	Equipment	Term	Status
BATT, Jane A. ** St. Michael's Hospital (Toronto) Nedd4 Regulation of Skeletal Muscle Atrophy and Regeneration		$112,206		3 years
BRAIS, Bernard ** Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM) Developing molecular, cellular and mice models for Autosomal Recessive Spastic Ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay (ARSACS)	Gehring, Kalle; McPherson, Peter	$108,182		3 years
MEAKIN, Susan O. ** University of Western Ontario Nesca, a novel signaling adapter that regulates neuronal growth and regeneration		$121,411		3 years
RENAUD, Jean-Marc ** University of Ottawa Mutation of the mouse NaV1.4 muscle sodium channel: Understanding hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HyperKPP)		$122,927		3 years
ROBERTSON, Janice ** University of Toronto The TAR-DNA-binding protein-43 and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis	Zinman, Lorne; Hazrati, Lili-Naz	$118,496		3 years
CHEN, Wayne S. * University of Calgary Understanding the molecular defects and treatment of human malignant hyperthermia and central core disease		OGP		3 years
JULIEN, Jean-Pierre * Université Laval The role of inflammation in pathogenesis and immunotherapy of ALS	Dupré, Nicolas	OGP		5 years
NALBANTOGLU, Joséphine KARPATI, George * McGill University Molecular therapies for dystrophin deficiency		OGP		4 years
ROULEAU, Guy A. * Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM) Cellular and biochemical impact of TDP-43 mutants in ALS	Van de Velde, Christine; Parker, Jodey; Julien, Jean-Pierre	OGP		5 years
STRONG, Michael * University of Western Ontario The role of TDP-43 in regulating NFL mRNA metabolism		OGP		3 years
VACRATSIS, Panayiotis * University of Windsor Molecular mechanisms regulating myotubularin-related lipid phosphatases mutated in neuromuscular diseases		OGP		3 years

For further information about the partnership, please contact:

Nathalie Gendron, PhD
Deputy Director
Knowledge Creation Programs Branch
Research Portfolio
Tel: 613-941-4576
Fax: 613-954-1800
E-mail: nathalie.gendron@cihr-irsc.gc.ca

Denise Figlewicz, PhD
Director of Research
ALS Society of Canada
Tel.: 1-800-267-4257
Tel.: 416-497-2267 ext 202
Fax: 416-497-1256
E-mail: daf@als.ca
Website: www.als.ca

Marla Spiegel
National Director, Research, Education & Advocacy
Muscular Dystrophy Canada
Tel.: 1-866-687-2538
Tel.: 416-488-0030 ext. 134
Fax: 416-488-7523
E-mail: marla.spiegel@muscle.ca
Website: www.muscle.ca