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Research
Funding
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 Research
Grants
To advance the scope of scientific research,
Breast Health International seeks to fund crusading researchers
who may not usually be able to obtain grant monies for research
without a prior "track record" of multiple publications. Funds
for these programs come from contributions to the BHI from foundations, international corporations, individuals
and from our own fundraising events. |
Past Grants
Past grants have been awarded to institutions
such as The Wistar Institute, Thomas Jefferson University and
Hahnemann University Hospital. For a listing of additional
grant recipients, please contact
us. |
| Case
Study |
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| Dr.
Steven McMahon is a member of the faculty of The Wistar Institute,
which he joined as an Assistant Professor in July of 1999.
Funding from Breast Health International was vital in helping
him to establish an independent research program as a young
investigator. Here is a description of Dr. McMahon's work and
the importance of BHI's support: |
My research focuses on genetic mutations
that lead to cancer. Cancer is a genetic disease in which
a small number of cellular genes are mutated. Among the
most commonly mutated genes in human cancer is the c-MYC
oncogene. While c-MYC mutations occur in nearly all types
of human cancer, breast tumors have recently been shown
to have a particularly high rate of c-MYC mutation. Therefore,
an understanding of the function of the c-MYC oncogene
should lead to valuable insights into the events leading
to the malignant transformation of breast cells. While
little is known about c-MYC's specific functions, it
is known to activate a complex cascade of other genes.
It is through this activation of genes in this downstream
cascade that c-MYC actually causes the tumor cell to
undergo the uncontrolled division which typifies cancer.
Unfortunately, nothing is known of the identity of the
genes which are activated by c-MYC in breast cancer.
My research team has recently identified and cloned a
novel protein which binds to c-MYC and facilitates its
effects on the downstream targets. The cloning of this
c-MYC partner has provided my team with their first opportunity
to fully identify the genes which are activated by c-MYC
in breast tumors.
This research, funded by Breast Health International,
allowed me to begin the systematic identification of
these genes. In addition, the preliminary data obtained
during this study served as the foundation for a successful
grant application to the National Institutes of Health
and the National Cancer Institute. Most importantly,
the identification of these genes should rapidly provide
scientists with new targets for therapeutic intervention.
The funding from the Breast Health Institute was crucial
in enabling me to move forward with his research, which
will provide important new insights in the fight against
breast cancer. |
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©2003
Breast Health Institute
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