CFXF/SCRIPPS FLORIDA FIRST ANNUAL FRAGILE X RESEARCH CONFERENCE

On April 15 and 16, 2007, CFXF and Scripps-Florida will host the first annual Fragile X Research Conference It is geared toward new Fragile X investigators. The theme of the Conference this year is, “From Mechanisms to Medicine” and reflects the emphasis on the translation of research into practice. The conference will feature Dr. Fabrizio Gasparini of Novartis and Dr. Randall Carpenter of Seaview Therapeutics. Dr. David Nelson will be giving a plenary lecture on the second day of the conference. The conference will be structured to provide ample time during the day for discussion among our researchers. Dr. Tina Urv of the National Institute for Child Health Development will be a guest. Our conference committee comprises CFXF Scientific Advisors Dr. Karen Usdin of the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Dr. Giovanni Neri of the Catholic University in Rome, Italy and Dr. Gary Bassell of Emory University in Atlanta, GA. Dr. Claes Wahlestedt of Scripps Florida is also on the Conference Committee. We look for a stimulating conference.

Next year's theme and date will be announced shortly.

BEVERLY ROBBINS ELECTED TO CFXF BOARD OF DIRECTORS

On February 13, 2007 at Conquer Fragile X Foundation’s annual Board of Directors meeting, Mrs. Edwin Robbins was elected to the Board. Mrs. Robbins brings decades of experience in service to special populations to her role at CFXF and we welcome her. Her husband Edwin chairs our foundations committee.

FLORIDA FRAGILE X RESEARCH AWARENESS DAY TO BE DECLARED

Florida state representative Mary Brandenburg has introduced a resolution declaring April 16 as Florida Fragile X Research Awareness Day. This date was chosen to correspond with the CFXF Scripps- Florida Fragile X Research Conference, From Mechanisms to Medicine. Thank you Rep. Brandenburg for your support and for bringing this resolution forward.

DRS. GARY BASSELL AND MENAHEM SEGAL COLLABORATE ON FRAGILE X RESEARCH

Dr. Gary Bassell, Associate Professor in the Departments of Cell Biology and Neurology at the Emory University Medical School and Dr. Menahem Segal, Department of Neurobiology at the Weizmann Institute of Science, plan to collaborate on a project that will examine the effects of MPEP (an inhibitor of the MgluR5 receptor) on the abnormal morphology of neurons from mice lacking the FMR1 gene as well as the protein synthesis abnormality in these cells. Cells from these mice have also been shown to have an abnormal calcium ion profile, which may contribute to the malfunctioning of these neurons. In collaboration with Dr Menahem Segal's laboratory in Israel, Dr Bassell aims to test whether MPEP can restore the normal calcium profile.

Both of these outstanding researchers have received support from Conquer Fragile X in the past.We are delighted to see them collaborating on this important subject.

The Israeli portion of this project has been funded by the generosity of Mr. Elliott Harris, Trustee of the Kagan Perelstein Charitable Trust. Mr. Harris, his wife Arlene and daughter and son-in-law Tom and Marti Gammon have been CFXF supporters for many years, and we are very grateful for their continued support.

MRS. VI WERNER, MR. HARRIS HOLLIN, DR. CLAES WAHLESTEDT AND DR. AVRAM HERSHKO AT CFXF FUND RAISER IN JANUARY