Grant: Doctoral Award - Frederick Banting and Charles Best Canada Graduate Scholarships

Our project specific aim is to better understand the role of a small protein, integrin-linked kinase (ILK), in helping the cells of your brain produce the fatty insulating substance myelin. Previous work in the field has shown a role for ILK in myelin production when cells are grown in a dish. We have, therefore, generated genetically modified mice lacking the ILK protein specifically in myelin producing cells of the central nervous system. During early development, these mice display defects in their ability to engulf nerves with myelin. Interestingly, as the mice age, a compensatory mechanism is activated,allowing nerves to be properly surrounded by a thick layer of myelin. Future work is aimed at better understanding the biological components involved in the compensatory mechanism; whether by another molecule with similar functions to ILK, or complete replacement of the ILK deficient cells by other normal fully functional myelin producing cells. Elucidating the mechanisms by which myelin is produced is fundamental to our understanding of Multiple Sclerosis, a debilatating disease affecting an estimated 75,000 Canadians. Our work will allow us to discern important molecular mechanisms involved in communication between the myelin producing cells and their cellular environment. Through our understanding of the mechanisms governing myelin production we can develop new therapies to aid those suffering from Multiple Sclerosis.