Make a Difference

Christini Fund supporters continue to help scientists make great strides in mitochondrial research. Over the past 12 years, researchers at UCSD’s MMDC have published over 60 scientific research papers in mitochondrial medicine. One of these publications was the landmark discovery of the gene that causes Alpers syndrome, the oldest mitochondrial disease known. The MMDC has also been successful in training physicians in recognizing and treating mitochondrial disease.

In addition, research has shown that mitochondria play a fundamental role in many common diseases like diabetes, autism, heart disease, and cancer that ultimately will affect the lives of over 50% of the people born today. These discoveries have broken new ground and are leading the fresh new ideas for the treatment of these complex disorders.

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2010 Accomplishments 

In 2010, funds received through corporate funding and annual/event giving made on-going research by Christini Fund scientists possible and the following advancements were made:

  • Dr. Naviaux’s research in autism received national recognition in 2011, when he was given a “Trailblazer” award by Autism Speaks. His research into how mitochondria “talk” to other cells is creating fresh new leads to treatment and hope for thousands of families with children with autism.
  • Development of NextGen tools of “Metabolomics” to predict who is at risk for developing severe complications like kidney failure, heart failure, or blindness from diabetes. Dr. Naviaux and his colleagues discovered this year that they can “listen” to cellular danger signals using simple blood and urine tests to help doctors better care for patients with diabetes.
  • Characterization of a signaling pathway that mitochondria use to control DNA mutations and metabolic changes that are associated with cancer, stem cells, tissue injury, and healing.

Since 1999, Christini Fund donations have supported the research for ground-breaking scientific publications about mitochondrial disease, have helped UCSD scientists define the link between infection and brain disease and have led to the creation of the first International Mitochondrial Standards Initiative (IMSI) and to the first internet-based World Registry of Mitochondrial Disease, now called the North American Mitochondrial Disease Consortium (NAMDC). All of these were under the direction of Dr. Robert Naviaux.

> View Publications Made Possible with Christini Fund Support