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$1 million for research into intellectual disability

Dr Paul Thomas
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Thursday, 29 November 2007

ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide researcher has been awarded $1 million to support his cutting-edge research into the genetic basis of some intellectual disabilities.

Dr Thomas is a developmental geneticist and (NHMRC) Research Fellow within the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥'s .

Dr Thomas has pioneered research into the genetic basis of intellectual disability syndromes using mouse models that help to understand how nerve tissue develops and what can go wrong to cause these syndromes.

He has been awarded a Research Fellowship for continued research into novel X-linked genes associated with intellectual disability.

"I am thrilled to receive one of the 2008 Pfizer ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ Research Fellowships, which will enable me and my team to learn more about the complex process of neurodevelopment," says Dr Thomas.

"My hope is that knowledge gained from our novel mouse models may one day lead to new therapies for patients with intellectual disability."

Dr Thomas completed his PhD at the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide in 1995 before moving to the in London to continue his post-doctoral research. He was awarded the NHMRC's in 1998, returning to the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide in 2006.

His discoveries have been published in leading international scientific journals including Nature Genetics, Current Biology and Development.

The Pfizer ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ Research Fellowships recognise excellence in ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥n biomedical researchers and aim to contribute to the development of ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥'s high standing among the world's scientific leaders.

Dr Daniel Grant, head of Pfizer ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥'s Strategic Alliances Group said: "We are very pleased to be able to support bright young ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥n researchers, such as Dr Thomas, by providing the funding needed to ensure they can maintain their research programs in ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥. Pfizer ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ believes that they will make significant contributions to ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥n research and, in the long run, may help develop improved therapies for a wide range of diseases."

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