Florida Atlantic University’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine hosted the second annual FairfaxWood Amyloid Related Diseases Summit in May. It was attended by an international group of scientists who discussed the latest research and advancements in the study of these diseases.
Buildup of amyloid proteins, or fibrils, causes amyloidosis, a life-threatening disease that can affect various organs. The most common is in the brain and usually manifests as Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and as stroke. Treatments are limited and there are no cures.
In 2023, the FairfaxWood Scholarship Foundation, supported by Boca Raton philanthropists Ann Wood and her late husband, John Wood, gave $11.5 million to the FAU Schmidt College of Medicine in support of amyloidosis research.
This gift established the FairfaxWood Health and Innovation Technology Initiative, the FAU Amyloidosis Project, and the endowed FairfaxWood chair of clinical neurosciences.
“Amyloidosis is an awful disease that deserves to be thoroughly researched to get results and to eliminate it,” Ann Wood said. “Our family was personally impacted — my husband, John Wood, in particular — so we are committed to making a difference by funding this annual summit.”
Michael R. Dobbs, M.D., the first endowed FairfaxWood chair of clinical neurosciences, said: “There are dozens of amyloid-protein related diseases, neurological disorders as well as cardiac, nerve and kidney diseases. There also are millions of people suffering from these diseases with the common thread of amyloid protein deposition.
“Our summit is an important and timely conversation to bridge the gap between amyloid research and clinical practice,” said Dobbs, who is chair and professor of the Clinical Neurosciences Department and associate dean of clinical affairs within the College of Medicine at FAU.
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