research

NON VIRAL GENE THERAPY RESEARCH. Great progresses have been done with the aim of developing non viral procedures for gene transfer that would be safe and efficient. In this sense, we must remark the success obtained in:

Dr. Yi Lu graduated with a B.S. degree in Biochemistry from Fudan University in Shanghai, China in 1984, and a Ph.D. degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA in 1992. After completing his postdoctoral training at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX, USA, Dr. Lu joined the faculty of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC), Memphis, TN, USA in 1995 as the Director of Gene Therapy, Department of Urology.

New avenues of research are constantly needed to establish experimental and therapeutic protocols that may lead to a better understanding and management of major human diseases. Gene-based approaches are promising tools to achieve these goals, in particular those based on the use of recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors as vehicles for candidate gene sequences.

Introduction

Takehide Murataa,*, Jianzhi Pana (c), Megumi Hirosea, Kumiko Inabea, Yukari Kujimea, Chitose Kuriharaa, Yuka Kusaa, Satoko Masuzakia, Koji Nakadea, Yuri Nakanoa, Masato Ohkuboa, Takahito Yamasakia, Yuichi Obatab, Kazunari K. Yokoyamaa (d)

Dr. Tremblay’s laboratory contributes to the development of treatments for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). We have an extensive expertise in cell transplantation, histology, immunohistology, immunology and gene therapy. We principally focus on the transplantation of normal or genetically modified Muscle Precursor Cells (MPCs) into muscles to restore the dystrophin.

Hua Su, Assistant Professor, Center for Cerebral Vascular Research, Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative, University of California, San Francisco

My current researches are focused on developing strategies for angiogenic gene and and cell Therapies for myocardial infarction and ischemic brain injuries.

The W. M. Keck Center for Innovative Cancer Therapies program at M. D. Anderson has assembled over 60 scientists and clinicians with an interest in sharing research ideas and findings worldwide. We all share the common goal of curing cancer.

The Virus and Stem Cell Biology lab. is an academic-research group embedded in the Department of Molecular Cell Biology at Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands. The group performs basic research on viruses in order to develop efficient virus-derived gene-transfer vectors for use in e.g. gene therapy. In their evolution, viruses have become very efficient in transferring genetic information into cells. We study the various mechanisms exploited by viruses to do so. Our current research centers around adenoviruses, lentiviruses, and reoviruses.

The Center for Gene Therapy at the University of Michigan Medical Center was created to link basic science, clinical investigation and technology transfer. The Center fosters a multidisciplinary approach to new research as well as collaborative research endeavors in the area of gene therapy; extends the services of existing and newly created research cores to investigators; and serves as a resource for information and education.

The Alberta Gene Therapy Group was born during a meeting organised by Lung-Ji Chang from the University of Alberta and Norman Wong from the University of Calgary held at the Holiday Inn, Red Deer, Alberta, November 23, Thursday, 1995.