Saving lives through education, advances in treatment and finding a cure for Barth syndrome
Grants Funded by Barth Syndrome UK
Over the years, we have worked with the Barth Syndrome Foundation and fundraising efforts from UK and European families and friends have allowed us to fund several exciting grants designed to further our knowledge of Barth syndrome. For a full list of grants awarded by BSF click here
2021
Surveying TAZ genetic interactions and mutational landscape in human cells
Jason Moffat, PhD, Professor, University of Toronto
Idea Award, $50,000 over one year
Awarded to Prof. Jason Moffat and Prof. Charles Boone of the University of Toronto, this Idea Award enables us to better understand the TAFAZZIN gene, in and out. Inwardly, Dr. Moffat proposes to connect changes in gene sequences to their functional consequences on protein function. Known as deep mutational scanning, this effort has the potential to expand our understanding about gene variants in our community.
Outwardly, via a CRISPR-mediated genome-wide screen, Dr. Moffat proposes to identify genes that interact with TAFAZZIN and recorded gene variants. By increasing our understanding of TAFAZZIN interactions as well as gene variants and mutations’ impact on tafazzin protein function, the research team seeks to identify insights into the variable manifestations, or phenotype, of Barth syndrome.
2020
Study into a new therapy that could provide significant health benefits to people with Barth syndrome...
Investigation of a new nutraceutical for treatment of Barth Syndrome
Robin E. Duncan, PhD, Associate Professor, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada - $41,580 over 2-year period
This project will assess the therapeutic potential and activity of a nutraceutical (a possible supplement therapy that is available without prescription) in preserving the viability of Barth syndrome cells. Following up on early results that this nutraceutical has the ability to help Barth syndrome cells survive at the same levels as normal cells, Dr. Duncan and her team will try to understand what is the process that helps preserve these cells, and further expand her research into the Taz knockout (TAZKO) mouse model. As an early stage research effort (aka preclinical study), this research aims to provide the foundational understanding of this nutraceutical and its impact on Barth syndrome.
This project is being jointly funded by Barth Syndrome UK and Barth Syndrome Foundation of Canada.
2017
Borko Amulic, PhD, Lecturer (Assistant Professor), University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
Neutrophil dysfunction in Barth syndrome
Award: US $49,967 over 2-year period
Funded in equal parts by Barth Syndrome UK and BSF USA
Abstract:
Barth syndrome (BTHS) is an X-linked genetic disease caused by loss-of-function mutations in the tafazzin (TAZ) gene, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction and neutropenia, cardioskeletal myopathy and growth delay. Neutropenia is found in 80% of BTHS patients and is accompanied by a risk of life-threatening bacterial infections. The molecular mechanism underlying neutropenia in BTHS has not been fully elucidated. We will examine neutrophils from patients under the care of the UK NHS Barth Syndrome Service to test the hypotheses that mitochondrial defects lead to breakdown of neutrophil homeostasis and impaired antimicrobial function. Specifically, we will analyse (1) metabolism, (2) a neutrophil-specific cell death pathway called NETosis and (3) anti-microbial effector functions, in order to gain insight into disease mechanisms leading to neutrophil dysfunction.
2014
John L. Jefferies, MD, MPH, FAAP, FACC, FAHA, Director, Advanced Heart Failure and Cardiomyopathy Services; Associate Professor, Pediatric Cardiology and Adult Cardiovascular Diseases, The Heart Institute;
Associate Professor, Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
Award—US $28,749 over 2-year period
*Co-funded by Barth Syndrome Trust and Barth Syndrome Foundation
Adam Chicco, PhD, Associate Professor, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
Translating murine Taz deficiency to human Barth syndrome: Focus on impaired lipid oxidation
Award—US $49,998 over 1-year period
*Co-funded by Barth Syndrome Trust and Barth Syndrome Foundation
2013
Douglas Strathdee, PhD, Head of Transgenic Technology, Beatson Institute for Cancer Research, Glasgow, Scotland
Characterisation of a conditional knockout of tafazzin in the mouse
Award — US $49,837 over 2-year period
2012
William T. Pu, MD, Associate Professor
Children´s Hospital of Boston, Boston, MA
Maturation of Barth syndrome models for clinical translation.
Award—US $40,000 over 1-year period
2010
Anton I. de Kroon, PhD, Docent (Associate Professor)
Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
The preferred acyl chain donor of Taz1p in the acylation of monolysocardiolipin.
Award—US $40,000 over 2-year period
2009
Miriam Greenberg, PhD Professor and Associate Dean
Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
Perturbation of mitophagy in cardiolipin mutants.
Award — US $40,000 over 1-year period
2007
Taco Kuijpers, MD, PhD Professor
University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Neutropenia in Barth syndrome: new in vitro models to study BTHS neutrophils.
Award — US $40,000 over 1-year period
2006
Willem Kulik, PhD Head Mass Spectrometry/Metabolomics
University of Amsterdam,Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Development of BTHS screening using bloodspots and HPLC tandem mass spectrometry.
Award — US $30,000 over 1-year period
2006
Frédéric M. Vaz, PhD Departments of Pediatrics & Clinical Chemistry
University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Identification of the proteins interacting with tafazzin and resolution of the consequences of the deficiency of cardiolipin at the protein level.
Award — US $40,000 over 1-year period (Funding for this award was provided by Barth Syndrome Foundation and Barth Syndrome Trust)
Over $360 000 (£260 000) funded so far through UK efforts
As at 2021 we have funded over £260 000 in twelve different research projects related to Barth syndrome.
If you are a scientist interested in this multidisciplinary condition, please contact us to see how we can help.
