Wednesday, June 19, 2024 – Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Research Manitoba would like to congratulate Dr. Jillian Stobart from the University of Manitoba on receiving the New Investigator Grant for her pioneering project: “Reducing astrocyte P2Y1 receptor signaling to slow Alzheimer’s Disease progression.”
Dr. Stobart’s project aims to explore the role of astrocytes, a type of brain glial cell crucial for brain function, which become abnormal during Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). This abnormality may cause cell death and damage, contributing to the memory loss and sensory problems experienced by patients. The study focuses on the P2Y1 receptor on astrocytes, which increases during AD and may cause astrocytes to damage other brain cells. By genetically reducing astrocyte P2Y1 receptors in mouse models of AD, the research expects to see improved brain cell survival and function, leading to fewer memory problems in AD mice. These findings will enhance our understanding of brain damage in AD and pave the way for developing astrocyte P2Y1 receptor blocker drugs to slow disease progression.
This New Investigator Grant is part of the Alzheimer Society Research Program (ASRP), one of Canada’s most innovative funding programs for dementia research. Since its inception in 1989, the ASRP has invested nearly $73 million in grants and awards, fostering groundbreaking research that brings us closer to a future without Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. The program provides funding across several streams, including doctoral candidates, post-doctoral graduates, new investigators, and proof-of-concept for faculty.
Research Manitoba’s funding is vital in supporting the growth of Manitoba-based researchers in the field of dementia studies. We are pleased to collaborate with the Alzheimer Society of Canada on this important funding program, helping the best and brightest minds in the field spark their work from ideas to impact.
For more information on the projects that received funding this year, please visit the official Alzheimer Society of Canada’s grant recipients page here.
Contact:
Research Manitoba
info@researchmb.ca | researchmanitoba.ca
Research Manitoba:
Research Manitoba promotes, supports, and coordinates the funding of research excellence and innovation in health, natural and social sciences, engineering, and the humanities in Manitoba. Research Manitoba supports local talent development by providing research support to early career researchers and graduate students, along with fostering strategic partnerships to strengthen research and innovation in Manitoba.