PUBLIC RELEASE DATE:

13-Jun-2014

Contact: Peter Kent pkent@clemson.edu 864-723-0491 Clemson University

GREENWOOD, S.C. Seven research projects from Greenwood Genetic Center and Clemson University faculty were selected to receive the first round of funding provided by Self Regional Healthcare (SRHC).

In February, SRHC announced a partnership with Clemson and GGC to serve as the lead hospital partner in the collaborative. As part of that commitment, the hospital pledged a total of $5.6 million toward the project, including $1.2 million per year for three years to fund genetic research.

Fourteen projects were submitted from faculty at both Greenwood Genetic Center and Clemson University. Each project was evaluated by an independent team, and final selections were announced this week by Dr. Steve Skinner, director of the Greenwood Genetic Center, and Steve Kresovich, the Robert and Lois Coker Trustees Chair of Genetics/SmartState Chair of Genomics at Clemson.

Five of the funded projects focus on the understanding and treatment of autism spectrum disorders, while two proposals were combined to study improved diagnostics for hereditary cancers.

"The blending of research teams from both Clemson and GGC will allow our institutions to build on the strengths of one another," said Skinner. "Self Regional's commitment to supporting these endeavors is a vital part of understanding, and ultimately treating, disorders like autism and cancer that impact so many families."

Each selected project includes team members from both Clemson and Greenwood Genetic Center. The following proposals were funded:

Modi Wetzler from Clemson's department of chemistry will work on developing a therapy for autism patients who have a specific known mutation.

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Clemson, Greenwood Genetic Center research into autism, cancer funded by Self Healthcare