The March of Dimes has awarded a national grant of $187,440 over a three-year time period, to Dr. Robert White, Ph.D, Director of Molecular Genetics Research at Children’s Mercy Hospital.  This grant will aid in the efforts to develop a novel form of gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. “By using the March of Dimes national grant, we anticipate being able to do extensive research on muscular dystrophy to help our mothers and babies receive care that is so important and necessary,” said Dr. Robert White of Children’s Mercy Hospital. “We are grateful to all those who support the March of Dimes who through their volunteer efforts work to improve maternal and infant health in Kansas City.”

Peter Baumann, Ph.D. at Stowers Institute for Medical Research has been awarded a $150,000 grant over a two-year time period.  This grant will aid in the study of the roles of telomeres – complex arrangements of DNA and proteins –in development, cancer and aging.

Stowers Institute for Medical Research has received a $150,000 grant for two years to aid Dr. Jennifer Gerton, Ph.D, in her study of the cohesive proteins in chromosome pairs and to discover what may cause certain chromosomes to become lost or damaged during cell division.

Dr. Paul Trainor, Ph.D, of Stowers Institute for Medical Research has been awarded a $150,000 grant for two years to study certain cells that are responsible for the development of the head and face and to discover how defective genes contained in these cells may lead to craniofacial birth defects.

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services education, and advocacy to save babies. More information is available on the March of Dimes web site at www.marchofdimes.com.