Psoriasis Foundation awards research grants
PORTLAND, Ore. (April 12, 2006)—The National Psoriasis Foundation has awarded four $30,000 seed grants to researchers in Oregon, Utah, Colorado and New York.
The Psoriasis Foundation's seed grant program emphasizes innovative psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis research projects in genetics, immunology or clinical research focused on understanding the mechanism of the disease. The program is designed to provide researchers with funding to generate preliminary data that can be used in grant applications to the National Institutes of Health.
"Funding these types of research projects is an integral part of our research and advocacy strategies," said Gail M. Zimmerman, president and CEO of the Psoriasis Foundation. "These grants will help promising researchers further understand the underlying causes of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, and help us come closer to a cure."
The recipients are:
 Andrew Blauvelt, M.D., a professor at Oregon Health & Science University. Dr. Blauvelt received a grant award for a research project that focuses on how the molecule IL-23 is involved in the development and maintenance of psoriasis. Drugs currently in clinical trials that block IL-23 have had a dramatic effect in treating psoriasis.
Kristina P. Callis, M.D., an instructor at the University of Utah Health Sciences Center. Dr. Callis received a grant award for a research project that focuses on understanding the complex genetics of psoriasis using a genealogic database, genetic material and clinical information from patients in Utah. Genetics play an important role in the development of psoriasis.
Shane A. Curran, Ph.D., a post-doctoral fellow at Columbia University. Dr. Curran received a grant award for a research project that focuses on understanding the environment of joints in psoriatic arthritis, including the T cells and receptors and specific stress molecules. Understanding the pathways that trigger the destruction of joints may lead to better therapeutic targets for psoriatic arthritis.
Carl K. Edwards, Ph.D., an associate professor at the University of Colorado at Denver Health Sciences Center. Dr. Edwards received a grant award for a research project that focuses on understanding how specific molecules and cells work together to produce inflammation in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, as well as psoriatic lesions. Understanding this process may lead to the development of new therapeutic targets for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
In recent years, tremendous progress has been made in understanding psoriasis. This increased research will help create more effective treatments and, ultimately, a cure.
About Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a noncontagious, genetic skin disease that results when faulty signals in the immune system prompt skin cells to regenerate too quickly, causing red, scaly lesions that itch, crack and bleed. It often affects the elbows, knees, scalp and torso but can appear anywhere on the body. Ten percent to 30 percent of people with psoriasis also develop psoriatic arthritis, which causes pain, stiffness and swelling in and around the joints. There is no cure yet for these chronic diseases, which can disrupt daily life and are debilitating for some people.
About the National Psoriasis Foundation
The National Psoriasis Foundation is a patient-driven, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of more than 5 million Americans diagnosed with psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis, and their families. The organization is headquartered in Portland, Ore. For more information, contact the Psoriasis Foundation, headquartered in Portland, Ore., at 800.723.9166, or visit www.psoriasis.org
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