Why is the Cell Bank so Important to the Future of Progeria?

The Cell & Tissue Bank provides medical researchers with genetic and biological material from Progeria patients and their families, so that research on Progeria and other age-related diseases can be performed. We've been hard at work with the families and their physicians to gather these precious biological materials.

As you know, Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome is an extremely rare condition. Thus while access to cell lines is essential for studying the biology and genetics of the disorder, there are very few cell lines in existence. Because an integral part of PRF's mission is to stimulate interest in, and NIH funding opportunities for, Progeria research, there is an increased need for cell lines. The PRF Cell Bank will ensure that need is met! The goals of The PRF Cell & Tissue Bank are to promote:

• Sufficient availability of cells for approved research projects
• Incentive for new research projects
• Study of the biochemical basis for Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome
• Discoveries leading to new treatments for children with Progeria
• Discovery of a cure for Progeria

Principal Investigator: Leslie B. Gordon, MD, PhD
Project Coordinator: Susan E. Campbell, MA

PRF has partnered with the Rutgers University Cell and DNA Repository for storage and distribution of some cell lines. Many thanks to Dr. Jay Tischfield and Douglas Fugman of Rutgers University Cell and DNA Repository, Sharon Terry, Executive Director of PXE Int'l and CEO and President of The Genetic Alliance, Dr. David Kiszkiss, Director of Commercial Development at the Brown University Research Foundation, and Claire Driscoll, Associate Director in the Technology Transfer Office at the National Human Genome Research Institute for their help in establishing this Bank. A special acknowledgement to the John W. Alden Trust, The David, Helen & Marian Woodward Fund, and The Jack & Pauline Freeman Foundation, Inc. for providing financial support for this project.