The next breakthrough
by Kate Kruschwitz
Dillard Kirby was only 7 when his grandfather suffered a debilitating stroke, but he never forgot his grandfather's years of struggle, unable to communicate beyond a few words and a firm handshake. It's one of the reasons Dillard's father, family foundation president F.M. Kirby II, with his wife and children, developed an interest in brain science. Recently the foundation made a $3 million gift to Children's Neurobiology Center, which is directed by Michael Greenberg, PhD.
Underfunded science
"We recognized that neuroscience is less understood and not as popular as other research areas, so it's been underfunded," says Dillard Kirby, now the foundation's executive director. "When we decided to direct some of our resources to neuroscience, we wanted to start with bridge funding to talented young investigators—whose work shows tremendous promise but may not be advanced enough to qualify for major funding. We asked our contacts at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) what kind of research would best attract further NIH grants, and they helped us identify a short list of the best neuroscientists—that's how we learned about Mike Greenberg's lab at Children's Hospital Boston."
The Kirby Foundation's relationship with Greenberg's Neurobiology Program took root with an initial gift in 1997 and quickly blossomed. A $2 million gift in 1999 established an endowment for Greenberg, making him the F.M. Kirby Director of Neuroscience. This endowment and additional Kirby gifts in 2001 and 2002 attracted generous support from other leading foundations—critical peer recognition that's also reflected in a 300 percent increase in federal funding since 1996.
One of the world's foremost neuroscientists, Michael Greenberg, PhD, has assembled a stellar team of investigators whose work is illuminating how a healthy nervous system develops and how neurological diseases unfold in both adults and children. In the mid-1990s, their groundbreaking studies of nerve cell survival and death prompted a worldwide explosion of research that holds great promise for people with neurological diseases and certain cancers. Their findings uncovered the biological pathways that control how stem cells differentiate into brain cells, then proliferate, survive and ultimately die. This work advances understanding of conditions such as neurodegenerative Parkinson's, Huntington's and Alzheimer's disease, and may lay the groundwork for promising treatments for stroke and spinal cord injury.
"The Kirby Foundation has allowed us to pursue cutting-edge research not fundable by conventional sources," says Greenberg. "Their support has helped us build one of the largest, most diverse and prolific neuroscience programs. Our work is broader is scope than that of any other pediatric facility in the world. Children's—more than anyplace else—has the greatest opportunity to take pivotal findings and investigate
possible treatments and cures."
Greenberg and his team have played a key role in advancing the field, using improvements in imaging, molecular biology and gene sequencing to reveal new information about normal brain development and all conditions involving cognitive impairment. "For example, there's a tremendous amount to be learned from studying how neurons form the synapses that enable our brains to function," he says. "Now we're on the brink of unlocking the mysteries of autism, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and other cognitive function diseases."
Dillard Kirby agrees. "The lab's breakthroughs in neuron regeneration and synapse formation are very exciting and have broad applications. We've watched this vibrant program grow, with more scientists, more lab space and new areas of investigation. Understanding the brain and its disorders is the next medical frontier. We're happy to be pioneering partners."
For information on supporting the Department of Neurology,
contact Donna Richardson in the Children's Hospital Trust at
(617) 355-2061 or donna.richardson@chtrust.org.
Visionary ventures
It's not just neuroscience. Many other Children's Hospital research areas—stem cell biology, developmental and vascular biology, cancer biology, genomics, tissue engineering and more—are on the verge of unprecedented discovery. Children's collective brainpower, research track record, large patient base, new facilities and bold multi-disciplinary initiatives uniquely position the institution to forge new paths of understanding and treatment.
Getting federal funding for pilot projects—when theories are not yet proven—is extremely tough. As NIH grants decrease, the need for visionary
philanthropists is more urgent than ever. Dollars for daring projects—the venture capital of science—fund the researchers who move new ideas, gather data and develop results. Join us in turning investment into innovation, creating breakthrough therapies to transform lives.
For information on how you can support research at Children's Hospital Boston, please call Lynn Susman in the Children's Hospital Trust at (617) 355-5354 or lynn.susman@chtrust.org
