– Tanzanian scientist wins Royal Society Pfizer Award for Sickle Cell
Disease research
15 September 2011An African scientist who is working to save the lives of
people with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) in Tanzania has been awarded the Royal
Society Pfizer Award.
Dr Julie Makani, who is conducting research on anaemia in SCD, will
receive £60,000 towards a 12-month study which aims to provide a better
understanding of the molecular, genetic and environmental mechanisms of this
disease.
Dr Makani, who is based in the Haematology Department at Tanzania’s
leading biomedical research university, Muhimbili University of Health and
Allied Sciences, has provided evidence that anaemia is a common cause of
morbidity and mortality in SCD in Tanzania. She has developed a framework to
conduct a clinical trial of Hydroxyurea – a chemotherapy agent with potent
effects on the bone marrow – in the treatment of anaemia in SCD.
Hydroxyurea increases foetal haemoglobin (HbF) levels but it has a direct
effect on haematopoiesis – blood cell formation – through poorly understood
mechanisms. The award money, provided through a grant from Pfizer Inc., will
allow Makani to extend the clinical trial to include a description of the
haematopoietic response to Hydroxyurea. It will also allow her to explore
genetic and environmental factors (socioeconomic status, education and
access to health care) associated with the haematopoietic response to
hydroxyurea.
Dr Makani hopes that the research will lead to improved diagnosis and
treatment thereby reducing the burden of anaemia to individuals, the health
system and local community. Commenting on her work and the prize, she said:
“It is an honour for our work to receive this recognition. I hope that
this award will help change the perception about science and technology in
Africa, as it provides validation that it is possible to conduct genomic
research in Africa. The recognition of our work by the Royal Society and
Pfizer will serve to show that is possible to develop excellence in science,
while integrating this into improving healthcare and building expertise in
sickle cell anaemia.”
Professor Lorna Casselton, Foreign Secretary of the Royal Society, said:
“We are extremely pleased to recognise such an impressive individual with
the Royal Society Pfizer Award
year. Sickle Cell Disease has a severe toll on Africa and high quality
research to lessen the burden is much needed. We hope that Dr Makani stands
as role-model for other young Africans scientists wishing to make a
difference on their continent and worldwide. ”
Dr Richard Hubbard, Senior Director of External Medical Affairs at
Pfizer, added:
“Dr Makani’s accomplishments in Sickle Cell Disease research are truly
outstanding. Her commitment and emerging role as a scientific leader in
Tanzania exemplifies the type of science capacity building this Award seeks
to recognize.”
The award grant and a £5,000 personal prize will be presented to Dr
Makani at a ceremony on 18 October 2011 at the Royal Society in London.
**
*About Sickle Cell Disease***
Sickle Cell Disease is a recessive genetic blood disorder characterized
by red blood cells that assume an abnormal, rigid, sickle shape. When these
hard and pointed red cells go through small blood vessels they can clog the
flow and break apart leading to pain, damage, a low red blood count, or
anaemia, among other things. According to published reports, it is estimated
that 300,000 children are born every year with SCD, 70% of which are born in
Africa.
Makani’s home country, Tanzania, has one of the highest annual birth
rates of SCD in the world, estimated to be between 8,000 to 11,000 births
every year. Without treatment between 50% and 90% will die in early
childhood, and over 5% of the infant mortality in Tanzania may be
attributable to SCD. These statistics are particularly tragic as early
identification through newborn screening and enrolment in comprehensive
healthcare programmes could prevent up to 70% of deaths.
http://royalsociety.org/news/Tanzanian-scientist-Pfizer-Award/