重口味SM

Professor St George-Hyslop accepted the BIAL Award in Medical Sciences on May 14 (photo courtesy Faculty of Medicine)

Renowned U of T Alzheimer鈥檚 researcher wins prestigious international health award

World-renowned molecular geneticist , director of the 重口味SM鈥檚 , has won one of Europe鈥檚 top health awards for his pioneering work on the roots of neurodegenerative diseases.

The is honouring St George-Hyslop with a BIAL Merit Award in Medical Sciences, one of the world鈥檚 most prestigious awards for health research. Europe鈥檚 equivalent of Canada鈥檚 Gairdner Awards or the United States鈥 Lasker Awards, the BIAL Merit Award recognizes written work that has major scientific relevance.

St George-Hyslop鈥檚 winning research paper, Translating Discoveries in Basic Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Molecular Genetics into Transformative Approaches to the Diagnosis and Treatment of Currently Incurable Neurodegenerative Dementias, explores the key role that the discovery of genes with disease-causing mutations played in understanding the molecular pathogenesis of these diseases.

It described the creation of useful model-organisms bearing these disease-causing mutations. Finally, it outlined the ongoing efforts to translate knowledge about the disease mechanism into potential diagnostics and disease-modifying therapies. 

鈥淚 am honoured to work with some of the world鈥檚 finest researchers who are dedicated to helping millions of people around the world through the advancement of knowledge and accelerated research and discovery on neurodegenerative diseases,鈥 says St George-Hyslop. 鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of work that still needs to be done, but together we are an innovative force for progress on one of the century鈥檚 most significant health challenges.鈥

St George-Hyslop鈥攁lso Director of 鈥攈as produced an extensive body of research that focuses on understanding the causes and molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Frontotemporal Dementia.

Professor St George-Hyslop receives award from Portuguese President

By discovering two genes responsible for early-onset Alzheimer鈥檚, St George-Hyslop and his team have made early diagnoses and treatment of the disease possible, often before brain damage occurs. They are currently taking some of the knowledge about the molecular mechanisms of the disease that were uncovered by their genetic studies, and using this information to develop novel diagnostics and treatments.

鈥淧rofessor St George-Hyslop leads a wonderful team that has made extraordinary discoveries. This latest recognition is another indicator of the impact and importance of his work, and a most fitting tribute to Peter鈥檚 brilliance, vision, and dedication,鈥 says 重口味SM President David Naylor.

鈥淕roundbreaking discovery requires intensive investigation, and, with Professor St George-Hyslop鈥檚 leadership, the Tanz Centre鈥檚 relentless approach to pursuing these discoveries will help solve the mystery of complex neurodegenerative illnesses,鈥 says Faculty of Medicine Dean Catharine Whiteside.

Portuguese President An铆bal Ant贸nio Cavaco Silva (pictured above) presented St George-Hyslop with his Merit Award on May 14, 2013 in Porto, Portugal.

Suniya Kukaswadia writes for the Faculty of Medicine.

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