Media Releases >
Media Releases Archive
> Duo achieves possible breakthrough on common diseases
Duo achieves possible breakthrough on common diseases
Document Tools
Contact:
Michel Leroux, 604.268.6683 (-5785 lab), leroux@sfu.ca
(Fluent in French and English)
Carol Thorbes, 604.291.3035, cthorbes@sfu.ca
Michel Leroux, 604.268.6683 (-5785 lab), leroux@sfu.ca
(Fluent in French and English)
Carol Thorbes, 604.291.3035, cthorbes@sfu.ca
November 12, 2003
A second science duo at Simon Fraser University has uncovered clues as to what causes a rare disease, some of the traits of which are becoming increasingly common in the general population. Research on BBS by Michel Leroux and Oliver Blacque may help scientists develop tests to screen for and correct cellular defects potentially linked to the development of obesity, kidney disease and learning disabilities.
Leroux, a professor, and Blacque, a post-doctoral fellow, are researchers in SFU’s department of molecular biology and biochemistry. The two recently published a paper in the science journal Nature on their British and American colleagues’ discovery of BBS8, the sixth gene linked to the development of Bardet-Biedl Syndrome (BBS). It is a potentially fatal hereditary disease characterized by blindness, obesity, kidney dysfunction and learning disabilities. Almost four years ago, SFU scientist Willie Davidson and one of his doctoral students, Mike Woods, helped another team of international scientists identify BBS6.
Leroux and Blacque helped pinpoint the BBS8 gene codes for a protein that seems to operate specifically at the base of cilia, microscopic hairs projecting from certain cells. Cilia are found on many important cells in simple and complex organisms, including humans.
Leroux and Blacque made their discoveries while studying mammalian tissue and C. elegans, tiny worms. The information they’ve gathered so far indicates that BBS8 (and perhaps the other BBS genes found only in cilia) makes cilia do something important. The big question is what, and is that function linked to the development of a variety of conditions in BBS sufferers?
"It has been known for a long time that problems with cilia cause diseases. For example, kidney disease and retinal degeneration are associated with ciliary problems," says Leroux.
He and Blacque are checking to see if a disruption in BBS genes could cause cilia to malfunction.
(electronic photo available)
Websites: Johns Hopkins Medical Institute:
www.hopkinsmedicine.org/press/2003/September/030921.htm
SFU Molecular Biology & Biochemistry
www.sfu.ca/mbb/mbb/faculty/leroux/leroux.htm
- 30 -
Leroux, a professor, and Blacque, a post-doctoral fellow, are researchers in SFU’s department of molecular biology and biochemistry. The two recently published a paper in the science journal Nature on their British and American colleagues’ discovery of BBS8, the sixth gene linked to the development of Bardet-Biedl Syndrome (BBS). It is a potentially fatal hereditary disease characterized by blindness, obesity, kidney dysfunction and learning disabilities. Almost four years ago, SFU scientist Willie Davidson and one of his doctoral students, Mike Woods, helped another team of international scientists identify BBS6.
Leroux and Blacque helped pinpoint the BBS8 gene codes for a protein that seems to operate specifically at the base of cilia, microscopic hairs projecting from certain cells. Cilia are found on many important cells in simple and complex organisms, including humans.
Leroux and Blacque made their discoveries while studying mammalian tissue and C. elegans, tiny worms. The information they’ve gathered so far indicates that BBS8 (and perhaps the other BBS genes found only in cilia) makes cilia do something important. The big question is what, and is that function linked to the development of a variety of conditions in BBS sufferers?
"It has been known for a long time that problems with cilia cause diseases. For example, kidney disease and retinal degeneration are associated with ciliary problems," says Leroux.
He and Blacque are checking to see if a disruption in BBS genes could cause cilia to malfunction.
(electronic photo available)
Websites: Johns Hopkins Medical Institute:
www.hopkinsmedicine.org/press/2003/September/030921.htm
SFU Molecular Biology & Biochemistry
www.sfu.ca/mbb/mbb/faculty/leroux/leroux.htm
- 30 -