|
Testimonials
The Accelerated Cure Project repository is being assembled to address
a significant obstacle in the search for a cure for Multiple Sclerosis
and related demyelinating diseases -- the lack of sufficient numbers
of biological samples and associated data from people with MS.
Many scientists have voiced their support for the repository and have
identified it as a resource that will change the way research is
conducted. Here is a selection of these comments:
"A rigorously collected bank of MS biological samples (including
serum, peripheral blood cells, material for RNA/DNA extraction and CSF
when available) on a clinically well-characterized MS patient
population and matched control populations, would represent a precious
resource to the MS research community. Individual researchers in the
field of MS immunology and neurobiology continue to be faced with the
ongoing challenge of acquiring high qualtiy samples to be applied to
their specific laboratory systems.
The lack of a central resource has required many labs to generate
their own samples. This has proven to be a demanding task which has,
at times, limited labs from engaging in otherwise promising research.
Moreover, generating samples in individual labs, using disparate
protocols, has made it difficult to compare results across projects -
an issue that is recognized as increasingly important with the growing
appreciation of the subtleties of sample acquisition/processing/storage
and the need for a uniform and validated approach. "
Amit Bar-Or, MD, FRCP(C), Montreal Neurological Institute
"I am delighted to provide you with my strongest support for the
highly ambitious research initiative proposed by the Accelerated Cure
Project. The project represents the largest and most comprehensive
ascertainment of historical, epidemiological, genetic, and clinical
data on multiple sclerosis to date. The protocol has been carefully
and expertly formulated and refined.
"...scientists need a large collection of specimens from a variety of
patients with detailed information about those patient's experiences
with this disease. Only then will we be able to sort out the complex
interaction between people and their environment that leads to the
development of MS."
Elliot Frohman, MD, PhD, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
"The approach taken by the Accelerated Cure Project is a long overdue
effort to collect the vital information and specimens from people,
necessary for research such as mine to be fruitul. A concerted effort
to expand this project will undoubtedly lead to benefits not just for
patients with MS, but for science in general."
Ben Greenberg, MD, MHS, Johns Hopkins
"I believe your aims and project have great significance, and will
provide an invaluable and very much needed resource to our community.
Such a resource can immensely facilitate the progress in research,
because it takes away the burden of field work, data and specimen
collection for the always tightly funded and always competing
investigators."
Bernadette Kalman, MD, University Hospital, State University of New York
"A definitive study regarding the role of mitochondrial DNA variants
in MS is greatly needed. My lab is prepared to conduct such a study.
However, the limiting factor in our ability to do so is the
availability of sufficient numbers of DNA samples from clinically
well-characterized MS patients and appropriately matched controls.
The availability of large numbers of such samples through the
repository established by the Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple
Sclerosis would have a direct and immediate impact on my work by
making it possible to perform a definitive study to address the
critical question regarding the role that mitochondrial genetic
variants play in MS. Because of the large numbers of samples and
detailed clinical and epidemiological data accompanying them, studies
that were previously impossible now could be performed."
David Simon, MD, PhD, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
|
