DMRF donates $500,000 to Cell Restoration Lab for brain repair
Dalhousie Medical Research Foundation combined the proceeds of the 2002 Molly Appeal with two generous bequests to provide the Brain Repair Centre (BRC) with $500,000 in 2003. This gift and matching funds from other local organizations enabled the BRC to obtain $2.1 million from the the Atlantic Innovation Fund (AIF) to build and equip the new $5.5 million Cell Restoration Lab for stem cell research.
The 2002 Molly Appeal raised an unprecedented $147,000 – almost 40 per cent more than previous efforts. The innovative campaign attracted 600 new donors. “These are Maritimers who decided to invest in scientific research by supporting excellence right here in our own backyard,” said DMRF Chairman Frank Sobey at the news conference to announce the DMRF contribution. The balance of the $500,000 came from two bequests: one from the estate of Helen Maud Watson, and the other from long-time Molly Appeal donor, the late Olive Blair.
The QEII Foundation committed to raising $1 million in matching funds, and individual researcher grants provided the remainder of the matching funds required to launch the stem cell research lab and associated research projects.
“Stem cells offer tremendous opportunity for the development of cell therapies that could replace damaged cells caused by brain disorders and spinal cord damage,” says Dr. Mendez. “This research has the potential to improve the lives of millions of Canadians and people all over the world.”
Much of the ongoing stem cell research in the world uses cells derived from fetal tissue. The Brain Repair Centre researchers are working to develop cell lines from adult sources, along with protocols for their use in transplantation. Such novel cell lines and protocols may well become commercially viable products.
This latest step forward for the Brain Repair Centre came on the heels of an $8.45 million investment in a powerful MRI system and facility for the Centre. The National Research Council contributed the bulk of these funds, while the Province of Nova Scotia provided $1.25 million.
“The quality of our neuroscience researchers has attracted generous support from our governments and institutions to build these world-class facilities,” Dr. Mendez says. “Now we will be able to attract even more talent, and retain the best minds in this field. These are the individuals who will be the innovators of the future, the ones who will be inventing the new cures.”
For more information, see Dalhousie Medical School's Cell Restoration Lab news release.