Dear Friends and Colleagues,
Every day I come to work at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, I am inspired by the people whose creativity is equaled only by the expertise and dedication that they bring to developing, testing and implementing transformational health discoveries.
In a Feb. 26 Nature Human Behaviour article, FBRI neuroscientist Read Montague, working with an international team of researchers, shared a previously unknown neurochemical basis for the human tendency to make decisions based on fairness. This novel work is not only providing insights into the underlying biological mechanisms of human thought and decision-making, but has opened an entirely new window for advancing therapeutics for a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders. The research was conducted in Parkinson's disease patients undergoing brain surgery while awake, and focused on a crucial area of the brain associated with motor control and reward processing.
Two other recently published discoveries from FBRI scientists, which you can read about below, found that applying low-intensity focused ultrasound to an area deep within the brain may help people cope with chronic pain. The work from Wynn Legon’s lab was recently published in the journal PAIN and the Journal of Neuroscience. The research points to a noninvasive way to modulate pain processing while eliminating many of the risks associated with surgery.
And on the last day of February, we recognize Rare Disease Day. The Wells Fargo Tower and the Berglund Center in Roanoke will be lit up with the colors of rare disease – pink, purple, blue and green – in recognition of the one in 10 people in the U.S. who face rare disease.
At last week’s meeting with fellow members of Virginia’s Rare Disease Council, I learned more about their struggles. In more than 20 labs in Blacksburg, Roanoke and Washington, D.C., Virginia Tech investigators are studying rare diseases – including the lab of the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute’s newest assistant professor, Meike van der Heijden.
My hope is that a better scientific understanding of the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that cause many rare diseases can not only benefit rare disease patients and their caregivers, but provide insight into more common illnesses and improve human health for all.
Yours truly in the spirit of Ut Prosim,
Michael J. Friedlander, Ph.D.
Executive Director, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC
Vice President for Health Sciences and Technology, Virginia Tech
Senior Dean for Research, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine
Professor, Biological Sciences, Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine and Affiliated Faculty, School of Biomedical Engineering and Science
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First-in-humans discovery reveals brain chemical working to influence social behavior
Researchers decode an intricate dance of dopamine and serotonin in human brains, shedding light on social decisions. Read Story
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A challenge of rare disease: Roanoke woman went undiagnosed for nearly seven decades
Susan Wallace was in her late 60s when she was diagnosed with DiGeorge syndrome. Then her brother learned research into the rare genetic disorder was taking place within walking distance of his home. Read Story
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Rare Disease Day brings worldwide attention to more than 7,000 rare diseases
Virginia Tech research into rare diseases, those that affect 200,000 or fewer U.S. patients, provides hope in identifying, treating and supporting those facing rare disorders. Read Story
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Scientist shows focused ultrasound can reach deep into the brain to relieve pain
A study by Wynn Legon, assistant professor at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, found that narrowly focused soundwaves aimed at the brain's insula reduced both the perception of pain and the body's reaction to it. Read Story
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Low-intensity ultrasound shows promise as a non-invasive approach to alleviate pain
Study shows first-in-human results of influencing brain activity to change perception of pain. Read Story
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New Fralin Biomedical Research Institute neuroscientist decodes developmental disorders
Assistant Professor Meike van der Heijden studies the cerebellum, a brain region that supports development of many behaviors. Read Story
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Data visualization aids cancer researcher's quest for better brain tumor treatment
Associate Professor Jennifer Munson shared her data on fluid flow in brain tumors with Virginia Tech's Visionarium, which created 3D visualizations that allow new insights. Read Story
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Self-described 'mitochondria nerd' explores exercise as medicine with new research award
Ryan Montalvo is an inaugural recipient of a postdoctoral excellence award. He works in the lab of Zhen Yan, a leader in exercise medicine research. Read Story
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Brain School 2024: Researchers explore the neuroscience of cravings
5 p.m. March 11: The community is invited to participate in Brain School, which includes brain-healthy food, scientific demonstrations, and lectures and discussions on "The Craving Brain: Food and Drugs." Register Here
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Wynn Legon's research confirming that sound waves can penetrate the deep brain and affect the perception and effects of pain captured the attention of publications domestically and in Europe. The story of an infant stroke victim and her years-long therapeutic journey aided by the Neuromotor Research Clinic caught the interest of the local press. And Alexandra DiFeliceantonio continues to be a popular source for articles about the irresistible nature of ultra-processed foods.
- A study by Wynn Legon using low-intensity focused ultrasound to mitigate pain in healthy patients was covered in numerous U.S. publications, including Futurity, Knowridge, The Science Times, and Science Daily. German publications Germanic News and Ingenieur carried the story, and Legon was also interviewed about his research in IEEE Pulse.
- Stephanie DeLuca, Sharon Ramey, and the staff of the Neuromotor Research Clinic celebrated 10 years of service recently, a milestone acknowledged by the story of one young woman, Keya Shapiro, who has received therapy at the clinic almost since its inception. Keya's relationship with the clinic was covered by The Roanoke Times and WDBJ-TV.
- Alexandra DiFeliceantonio has become known nationally for her research on the addictive nature of ultra-processed foods. Reporters continued to call on her perspective, quoting her in articles by WebMD and NIH News in Health.
View the full list of media mentions.
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Here's how you can support the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute in advancing human health through science:
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