Projects Archive - Foundation for Prader-Willi Research | Genetic Therapy

Under the guidance of our Scientific Advisory Board through a carefully managed grants process, FPWR selects research projects based on the collaborative input of researchers and parents, choosing projects that are both scientifically meritorious and highly relevant for individuals with PWS and their families.

Search Projects

Filter projects

The Role of Microglia in Prader-Willi Syndrome and a Hypothalamic Gene Therapy

Funded Year: 2023

Recently, Dr. Cao validated the safety and efficacy of a novel brain-directed gene therapy (BDNF) for metabolic and behavioral deficits observed in a preclinical mouse model of PWS, and identified BDNF as a potential therapeutic target to treat metabolic and behavioral aspects of PWS. Follow-up studies by our group investigated the genetic...

shRNA/AAV9 Gene Therapy for the Treatment of Prader-Willi Syndrome

Funded Year: 2022

This research team is exploring a novel approach to activate maternal gene expression from the PWS region of chromosome 15, using a small piece of RNA (short hairpin RNA) to interfere with a protein that silences the maternal chromosome.

Engineering epigenome editing tools for sustained reactivation of maternal PWS genes (Year 2)

Funded Year: 2022

This proposal investigates the development of a potential epigenetic therapy for PWS. Year 1 of this project showed the researchers were able to reactivate several maternal silenced PWS genes. In year 2, they will determine the epigenetic requirements for a uniform and stable reactivation of the maternal PWS region in human cells using transient...

Investigation of the Role of Fkbp5 to Induce PWS Phenotypes in a Magel2-null Mouse Model

Funded Year: 2022

With previous FPWR funding, Dr. Yu used advanced, single-cell sequencing to characterize changes in hypothalamic cells in a PWS mouse model and identified activation of a gene important in stress response and energy metabolism, Fkbp5. Here she will test whether inhibiting Fkbp5 rescues deficits in a PWS mouse model.

How does the epigenetic regulator SMCHD1 regulate the PWS cluster in humans?

Funded Year: 2022

Dr. Blewitt has shown that inhibiting SMCHD1 allows several important protein-coding genes in the PWS to be expressed, but the effect is incomplete. Here she will determine the chromosomal landscape in the PWS region on the maternal chromosome and evaluate how that landscape changes when SMCHD1 is missing, paving the way for more efficient...

Miniaturization of the PWS-domain for AAV-based genetic therapy in Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS)

Funded Year: 2021

In this project, Dr. Nicholls will begin studies towards an innovative gene therapy strategy for PWS, by developing a single adeno-associated virus (AAV)-vector that incorporates up to 80% of the PWS genes. This project will generate miniaturized components from the PWS genes and build an AAV vector carrying eight PWS genes. Delivery and...

Gene Therapy of Obesity in Prader-Willi Syndrome by an Autoregulatory BDNF Vector (Year 2)

Funded Year: 2021

Dr. Cao has been developing a gene therapy approach that addresses the major symptoms of PWS, through the delivery of a gene that modulates metabolism and behavior (Brain-derived neurotrophic factor, or BDNF). In her 2nd year of funding, her team will assess whether this single-dose viral gene therapy into brain improves metabolism and behavior...

Gene Therapy of Obesity in Prader-Willi Syndrome by an Autoregulatory BDNF Vector

Funded Year: 2020

Hyperphagia and the associated metabolic dysregulation is one of the greatest challenges that individuals with PWS and their families face on a daily basis. Dr. Cao has developed a gene therapy that targets the metabolic roots of PWS within the brain’s center for energy regulation. Their group has developed an approach using a single dose of a...

Precise epigenome editing as a novel therapeutic opportunity for Prader-Willi syndrome

Funded Year: 2020

Dr. Mussolino and his team will use a novel approach to activate the maternal genes in the PWS regions. They are developing ‘designer epigenome modifiers’ (A-DEMs), to target key elements of the PWS-critical region on chromosome 15. This approach may allow more specific activation of genes in the PWS region of chromosome 15 for genetic therapy...

Engineering Epigenome Editing Tools For Sustained Reactivation of Maternal PWS Genes

Funded Year: 2020

Dr. Iglesias has been working on potential genetic therapies for Prader-Willi syndrome and has shown that ‘epigenome editing’ can reactivate the maternal genes in the PWS region in human cells. The current study will focus on determining the molecular requirements to permanently reactivate the maternal genes in the PWS region, so that gene...

The Functional Development of Hunger Neurons in Prader-Willi Syndrome

Funded Year: 2019

AgRP ('hunger') neurons are found in the hypothalamus and control feeding, metabolism and compulsive behaviors. There is evidence that AgRP neurons may be overactive during development in PWS, which might lead to some of the characteristics of PWS. In this project, Dr. Dietrich will use a cutting edge technology developed in his lab to evaluate...

CRISPR-mediated molecular dissection of Prader-Willi syndrome

Funded Year: 2019

The PWS region of chromosome 15 consists of several genes. While we know the loss of all these genes together will lead to the characteristics of PWS, we still don’t know exactly what is the contribution of each gene. In this project, Dr Talkowski's team will use CRISPR technology (a very precise way to cut out parts of the genome) to develop...

Targeting SMCHD1 to address the underlying cause of PWS and SYS

Funded Year: 2019

Associate Professor Blewitt and her research team study how genes shift between ‘sleeping’ to ‘awake’ states, and how this impacts a range of diseases. “A protein called SMCHD1 keeps many genes in their sleeping state,” Associate Professor Blewitt said. “We discovered that SMCHD1’s targets include some of the maternal genes that are involved in...

CRISPR-mediated 3D modeling, molecular dissection and epigenetic profiling of PWS

Funded Year: 2017

Deletions on chromosome 15 in the bands labeled 15q11.2-q13 on the chromosome inherited from a subject’s father cause Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). The unique nature of this causative genetic event has been known for many years, but the precise manner in which it causes the developmental abnormalities of PWS is not completely understood since the...

Therapeutic Potential of Blocking Zinc Finger Protein 274 Binding to the PWS Locus

Funded Year: 2017

Our goal is to understand the molecular pathways disrupted in Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) and to develop therapeutic interventions for this disorder. Through the biological process called genomic imprinting, the chromosome 15 that is inherited from the father has a set of genes that is switched on while the same set of genes on the chromosome 15...

The molecular mechanism of SNORD116 action and possible SNORD116 substitution strategies

Funded Year: 2016

The loss of two snoRNAs, SNORD115 and SNORD116, plays a central role in the development of Prader-Willi syndrome. However, the normal function of SNORD116 is still unclear, making it difficult to understand what goes wrong when SNORD116 is lost. Dr. Stamm’s group is exploring how SNORD116 influences other genes, and their preliminary studies...

Preclinical studies of a novel epigenetic therapy for Prader-Willi syndrome

Funded Year: 2016

Despite the significant progress in understanding the molecular basis underlying Prader-Willi syndrome, little advance has been achieved in developing the treatment specifically targeting to the molecular defect. The SNORD116 between the SNRPN and UBE3A genes is important for the major features of PWS. The host transcripts and SNORD116 in the...

Reactivation of the PWS locus via disruption of the ZNF274 silencing complex (year 2)

Funded Year: 2016

Through a normal biological process called genomic imprinting, the chromosome 15 that is inherited from the father has a set of genes that are switched on while the same set of genes on the chromosome 15 inherited from the mother are switched off. In Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), there is no normal copy of the paternal chromosome 15 so patients...

Activation of silenced genes in Prader-Willi syndrome

Funded Year: 2015

The genetic causes of Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) are known, including as a complex disorder involving imprinted genes that normally only function after inheritance from the father. A dozen genes contribute to the clinical problems in PWS, although what most of these genes do is poorly understood. Additionally, although numerous mouse models that...

Reactivation of the PWS locus via disruption of the ZNF274 silencing complex

Funded Year: 2015

Through a normal biological process called genomic imprinting, the chromosome 15 that is inherited from the father has a set of genes that are switched on while the same set of genes on the chromosome 15 inherited from the mother are switched off. In Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), there is no normal copy of the paternal chromosome 15 so patients...

Small molecules and therapeutic potential for PWS

Funded Year: 2014

A publication resulting from this project was highlighted in an FPWR Research Blog post “Promising First Steps Towards Genetic Therapy for Prader-Willi Syndrome” (December 2016)

Injectable protein gene activation therapy for PWS (year 2)

Funded Year: 2014

This proposal will investigate the development of a gene therapy for Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). PWS is caused by the loss of a region of human chromosome 15q11-13. Humans have two copies of chromosome 15, one the mother (maternal) and one from the father (paternal). Due to an unusual mechanism called genetic imprinting, the genes affecting PWS...

Functional Assessment of snoRNA derived microRNAs in Prader-Willi Syndrome

Funded Year: 2013

Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder, predominantly caused by a deletion on the long arm of chromosome 15. This deletion eliminates a group of genes called HBII-85 whose function is currently unknown. Therefore, this proposal aims to investigate the underlaying molecular mechanisms behind the loss of HBII-85 and how this...

Reactivation of maternally-silenced genes in PWS

Funded Year: 2013

This proposal will investigate the development of a gene therapy for Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). PWS is caused by the loss of a region of human cromosome 15q11-13. Humans have two copies of chromosome 15, one the mother (maternal) and one from the father (paternal). Due to an unusual mechanism called genetic imprinting, the genes affecting PWS...

Small molecular screening and therapeutic potential for PWS

Funded Year: 2013

Like most genetic disorders, there is no specific therapeutic intervention targeted to the molecular defect for Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). The clinical presentations of PWS are caused by paternal deficiency of genes in the chromosome 15q11-q13 region. Recent reports indicate a region between the SNRPN and UBE3A genes harboring SnoRNA clusters is...

Identification of substances that substitute for the loss of snoRNAs from the Prader-Willi critical region

Funded Year: 2009

Genetic studies strongly indicate that the Prader-Willi syndrome is caused by the loss of small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNA). SnoRNAs are short RNAs that do not encode a protein. In most cases studied, snoRNAs help in the modification of other RNAs. However, the function of the snoRNAs missing in people with Prader-Willi syndrome is not clear. In...

Exploring the potential of using demethylation drugs to treat PWS

Funded Year: 2009

More than 95% of Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) cases are caused by either a large deletion of paternal chromosome 15q11-q13 or maternal uniparental disomy (UPD) of chromosome 15. The major gene or genes responsible for PWS are subject to genomic imprinting and exclusively expressed from paternal chromosome. For patients with a large chromosomal...

Activation of the maternal allele at the PWS/AS domain as a potential therapeutic approach (year 1)

Funded Year: 2009

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) results from inactivation of a domain on the paternal chromosome 15 while the same domain on chromosome 15 that is of maternal origin is normally inactivated. This situation in Prader-Willi patients is therefore associated with complete silencing of a relatively large number of genes that are located in this domain....

Activation of the maternal allele at the PWS/AS domain (Year 2)

Funded Year: 2009

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) results from inactivation of a domain on the paternal chromosome 15 while the same domain on chromosome 15 that is of maternal origin is normally inactivated. This situation in Prader-Willi patients is therefore associated with complete silencing of a relatively large number of genes that are located in this domain....

donate to FPWR for PWS research