Momentum - Summer 2013

Research Now is a special feature of Momentum, produced by the Society’s Research Programs Department.

Sara Bernstein, Editor,

Research Now

Cathy Carlson, Associate Vice President, Research Information

ResearchNow

INSIDE:

57 Harry Weaver Award fuels bright minds in MS research

59 Weaver awardees drive progress

60 Collaborating on progressive MS

61 New MS therapy expands options

COURTESY OF DR. MICHAEL R. TAYLOR AND DR. JENNIFER L. PETERS, ST. JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL

Researchers created this image of the developing zebrafish brain by labeling brain cells with fluorescent proteins and then using a confocal microscope to snap 3-D images of them. The translucent nature of this model makes it easy to observe how the brain functions and how these processes go awry in diseases such as MS.

MS research under the sea

by Sara Bernstein
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The pursuit of all promising avenues is leading multiple sclerosis researchers to interesting places—including the depths of the ocean. Yes, zebrafish and sea anemones are being used to study the origins of MS and to develop novel strategies for stopping the disease in its tracks and restoring function. Here is a sample of such work from grantees funded by the National MS Society.

Zooming in on
zebrafish genes
Zebrafish are ideal for studying
the early stages of disease
development, including MS.
Why? Because these small,
freshwater fish lay hundreds of
eggs at weekly intervals, which
means researchers can get
information about large numbers
of genes simultaneously. The
embryos are also translucent,

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