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Daphne Haas-Kogan, of Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, will receive a research grant totaling $600,000 over three years for “Dependence of DIPGs on DNA polymerase q for DNA repair defines a new therapeutic target.”
Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Eshini Panditharatna -- “Targeting epigenetically induced vulnerabilities in DIPG” -- and Boston Children’s Hospital’s Alan Jiao -- “Dissecting mechanisms of H3K27M oncohistone function in DIPG” -- will also each receive fellowship grants worth $150,000 over two years.
Michael Mosier Defeat DIPG Foundation and The ChadTough Foundation are funding 10 new diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG)-specific research projects totaling more than $2.8 million over the next three years (2020-22). Two of the new grants will be made in partnership with SoSo Strong Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation.
“By working together, we are amplifying our capacity to make significant investments in DIPG-specific research,” says Defeat DIPG Executive Director Jenny Mosier. “It is the generosity, passion, and commitment of the Defeat DIPG and ChadTough supporter networks that propel our shared mission of finding a cure for this devastating disease.”
To date, the Defeat DIPG ChadTough grant program has committed $6.1 million to 23 DIPG research projects.
Jason Carr, President of The ChadTough Foundation, explains, “Our grant program is designed to push the field forward by investing in research that is likely to fuel progress and add to our understanding of this disease, while also ensuring we empower the next generation of researchers to bring this over the finish line for our children. We hope for a cure in the near term, but we realize we need a pipeline of researchers who have the expertise and drive to follow through with this work as long as needed.”
All projects for the Defeat DIPG ChadTough grant program are reviewed by the Defeat DIPG Scientific Advisory Council, an unparalleled group of experts in pediatric brain cancer who evaluate each application for scientific merit. “Our Scientific Advisory Council brings a breadth of experience and expertise that sets our grant program apart,” says Mark Mosier, Chair of the Defeat DIPG Board of Directors. “Their rigorous review of the many applications we receive ensures we are using donor funds as efficiently and effectively as possible.”
The Defeat DIPG Scientific Advisory Council is chaired by Suzanne Baker (St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital) and includes David Ashley (Duke University School of Medicine), Oren Becher (Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine), Cynthia Hawkins (Hospital for Sick Children), Duane Mitchell (University of Florida College of Medicine), Michelle Monje (Stanford University), and Javad Nazarian (University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Children’s National Medical Center).
The Defeat DIPG ChadTough grant program was structured with guidance from the Defeat DIPG Scientific Advisory Council to ensure the grant amount, duration, and criteria were shaped to achieve the most meaningful results to push the field forward. All of the Defeat DIPG ChadTough grants are multi-year grants, allowing researchers to spend more of their time in the lab and less seeking additional funding for future years. Researchers submit progress reports to ensure the studies are proceeding as anticipated.