Robert White awarded a 2012 Raine Priming Grant
Wednesday, 22 February 2012
Established by Mary Raine, The Raine Medical Research Foundation represents the largest bequest received by The University of Western Australia for medical research. The Raine Research Committee provide Priming Grants for medical research scientists at an early stage in their career, particularly for those who are progressing towards an independent research career to assist them to become more competitive for national and international peer-review grants. The Grants provide funding for research into any area of medical science that investigates the nature, origin and cause of human disease, and the prevention, cure, alleviation and combating of such disease. The Grants are offered for a two-year period subject to annual review, and may be used to provide funding, or part funding, for salaries of researchers and/or technical staff, minor equipment, and consumables.
Rob is the only applicant who is not from UWA to be awarded this grant.
Summary of Rob’s application
Chief Investigator: Robert White (ParkC)
Associate Investigators: Meghan Thomas (ParkC) and Alain Prochiantz (Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherché en Biologie Collѐge de France)
Title: The neuroprotective function of the transcription factor Pax6
Abstract: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterised by progressive degeneration of substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons resulting in interruption of normal basal ganglia circuitry. Understanding the functional role of key proteins in neuroprotection may provide treatments. Pax6 plays a decisive role in the differentiation of neurons and our preliminary data indicates Pax6 protects neurons from induced damage. We will use world-class technologies and techniques to investigate the precise function of Pax6 in protecting dopaminergic neurons from PD-like damage. This will increase our understanding of how nerve cells protect themselves and potentially unlock new pathways to enhancing the neuron survival in PD.