The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF), the world’s largest private funder of Parkinson’s research, has awarded a grant to Thomson Reuters to create and publish the world’s most comprehensive source of biological maps for Parkinson’s disease. The project aims to identify possible causes of Parkinson’s by mapping biological mutations of the Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) protein, the most common genetic contributor to the disease discovered to date. The maps will trace the disease’s biological pathways to pinpoint relevant biomarkers, which are biological molecules that signal an abnormal process or disease. They also support the drug discovery process for treating Parkinson’s disease.

05 Jan 2012Thomson Reuters

“Researching the LRRK2 protein is a top priority for our foundation,” said Brian Fiske, Ph.D., director of research programs at MJFF. “We are committed to providing valuable tools, such as those from Thomson Reuters, for the research community to visually depict LRRK2 research data in useful and comprehensible formats.”

Thomson Reuters creates biological maps using the highest quality scientific literature data that is manually annotated using the business’s proprietary curation methods. The data selected for the maps is evaluated based on select criteria to ensure exceptional depth, breadth and quality of information for the researchers using it. 
“The pathway maps and unique content Thomson Reuters is developing for the Michael J. Fox Foundation project are especially valuable in shedding light on Parkinson’s disease and its cause,” said Jon Brett-Harris, executive vice president, Life Sciences, Thomson Reuters. “The maps will provide PD researchers with a resource to reveal the mechanisms behind the disease and further extend the drug discovery process. We are honored to have the opportunity to work with the MJFF on this critical program.”

In addition to funding more than $270 million in research to date, the Foundation has fundamentally altered the trajectory of progress toward a cure. Operating at the hub of worldwide Parkinson’s research, the Foundation forges groundbreaking collaborations with industry leaders, academic scientists and government research funders; increases the flow of participants into Parkinson’s disease clinical trials with its online tool, Fox Trial Finder; promotes Parkinson’s awareness through high-profile advocacy, events and outreach; and coordinates the grassroots involvement of thousands of Team Fox members around the world.

To learn more about Thomson Reuters pathway analysis tools visit http://thomsonreuters.com/products_services/science/science_products/a-z/metacore/