Fourth Quarter Research Awards

Published:

The Foundation’s External Research Awards Program has approved two new proposals for funding. One project is from the high-risk track, and the other is from the clinical indication track.

The high-risk project is led by Zhen Xu, Ph.D., from the University of Michigan and will study the use of the mechanical effects of focused ultrasound to break up the blood clots that cause deep vein thrombosis. The clinical indication project is a pilot study in pediatric osteoid osteoma led by Michael Temple, M.D., at SickKids Hospital in Toronto.

The project led by Zhen Xu, Ph.D., is entitled “Image-guided Non-invasive Ultrasonic Thrombolysis Using Histotripsy.” Dr. Xu and her team will study the use of the mechanical effects of focused ultrasound to break up the blood clots that cause deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the legs. DVT affects two million Americans annually and is currently being treated with methods that are extremely invasive or that carry a risk for bleeding. This project will be funded for one year.

Dr. Temple’s research, entitled “Magnetic Resonance—Guided Focused Ultrasound for Noninvasive Pain Therapy of Osteoid Osteoma in Children – A Pilot Study,” will assess pain, medication usage, and quality of life before and after treatment in 10 children.

Researchers who are interested in funding opportunities from the Foundation’s External Research Awards Program can review the program requirements and application instructions here.