Research Grant Program

The 2024 grant cycle is now open.

2024 Request for Research Proposals

Since 2002, the Barth Syndrome Foundation, Inc. and its affiliates have been awarding research grants. The Barth Syndrome Foundation of Canada have participated in their Research Grant program since 2006, and have contributed towards 17 individual grants for a total of over $400,000 US (see below for details). Together with BSF and the other affiliates (UK, France and Italy), 115 research grants have been awarded to 68 principle investigators worldwide, for a total of US $6.4 million.

The 2024 grant cycle is now open. At this time, the Barth Syndrome Foundation (BSF) and its international affiliates will welcome innovative applications that address the basic, translational, and clinical research challenges of Barth syndrome. BSF seeks to provide seed grant funding to young and established investigators in order to generate the preliminary data required for successful follow-on funding available from major grant-making institutions.

More information about the program and key dates can be found at BSF.

Contact Information

Melissa Huang, PhD

Clinical Research Coordinator

Barth Syndrome Foundation, Inc.

melissa.huang@barthsyndrome.org

bsfinfo@barthsyndrome.org
Toll Free: 855-662-2784 (855-NO-BARTH)

Previous Grants Awarded

Note that BSF has adjusted their grant year naming convention, so 2019 was not considered a grant year.

Click here for a complete list of active grants awarded by BSF and affiliates. Following is a list of grants funded or partially funded by BSFCa.

2023

Kate Schroder, PhD,
The University of Queensland, Australia

Elucidating Cardiolipin Immune Dysfunction in Barth Syndrome

This research is currently on-going.

*Funding for this award was provided by Barth Syndrome Foundation and Barth Syndrome Foundation of Canada.

2022

Borko Amulic, PhD
University of Bristol, Bristol, UK

Investigating the basis of neutropenia in Barth syndrome

This research is currently on-going.

*Funding for this award was provided by Barth Syndrome UK, and Barth Syndrome Foundation of Canada.

2021

Jason Moffat, PhD
Professor, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

Surveying TAZ genetic interactions and mutational landscape in human cells. This research is currently on-going.

*Funding for this award was provided by Barth Syndrome UK, and Barth Syndrome Foundation of Canada.

2020

Robin E. Duncan, PhD
Associate Professor, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada

Investigation of a new nutraceutical for treatment of Barth Syndrome. This research is currently on-going.

*Funding for this award was provided by Barth Syndrome UK, and Barth Syndrome Foundation of Canada.

2018

Christopher Y. Park, MD, PhD
Associate Professor, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY

Characterization of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in Barth syndrome. This research is currently on-going.

*Funding for this award was provided by Barth Syndrome France, and Barth Syndrome Foundation of Canada.

2017

Richard Epand, PhD
Professor, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

The cause and consequences of plasmalogen depletion in Barth syndrome. This research is currently on-going.

Associated publications to date:

*Funding for this award was provided by the Barth Syndrome Foundation, and the Barth Syndrome Foundation of Canada.

2016

Christina Pacak, PhD
Assistant Professor, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL

Optimization of AAV-mediated gene therapy for Barth syndrome. This research is currently on-going.

Associated publications to date:

*Funding for this award was provided by Barth Syndrome France, and Barth Syndrome Foundation of Canada.

2015

Robin Duncan
Assistant Professor, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario

A new enzyme and pathway in cardiolipin synthesis. This research is currently on-going

*Funding for this award was provided by Barth Syndrome France, and Barth Syndrome Foundation of Canada.

2014

Valerian Kagan, PhD
Professor and Vice-Chairman, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

Mechanism and role of cardiolipin oxidation and hydrolysis in Barth syndrome. Associated publications to date:

Associated presentations to date:

*Funding for this award was provided by Barth Syndrome France, and Barth Syndrome Foundation of Canada.

2013

Grant Hatch, PhD
Professor, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Tafazzin knockdown alters hepatic lipid metabolism. Associated publications to date:

*Funding for this award was provided by Barth Syndrome France, and Barth Syndrome Foundation of Canada.

2012

Richard Epand, PhD
Professor, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario

Relationship between membrane physical properties and the action of tafazzin. Associated Publications to Date:

*Funding for this award was provided by the Barth Syndrome Foundation, and the Barth Syndrome Foundation of Canada.

2011

Grant Hatch, PhD
Professor, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba

MLCL AT-1 elevates cardiolipin and mitochondrial function in cardiac myocytes of taz knockdown mice.

Associated Publications To Date:

Associated Presentations To Date:

2010

Christopher McMaster, PhD
Professor, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia

A screen for drugs, leads for the treatment of Barth syndrome.

Associated Publications to Date:

Associated Presentations To Date:

2009

Grant Hatch, PhD
Professor, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Role of human monolysocardiolipin acyltransferase in Barth syndrome.

Associated Publications To Date:

2008

Miriam Greenberg, PhD
Professor and Associate Dean, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan

The role of tafazzin in mitochondrial protein import – Implications for Barth syndrome

Associated Publications To Date:

*Funding for this award was provided by the Barth Syndrome Foundation, and the Barth Syndrome Foundation of Canada.

2007

Richard Epand, PhD
Professor, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario

Consequences of the alteration of cardiolipin structure on the properties of the mitochondrial membranes.

Associated Publications To Date:

Associated Presentations To Date:

  • U.Schlattner, M.Tokarska-Schlattner, S.Ramirez, A.Bruckner, L.Kay, C.Polge, R.F.Epand, R.M.Lee, M.L.Lacombe, and R.M.Epand, Mitochondrial kinases and their molecular interaction with cardiolipin. Biochim Biophys Acta 1788 (2009) 2032-2047.
  • T. H. Haines, R. F. Epand and R. M. Epand. The pK´s of cardiolipins are altered by the number and position of their specific fatty acid esters. Biophysical Society – 52th Annual Meeting, Long Beach, CA (February, 2008).

2007

Christopher R. McMaster, PhD
Assistant Professor, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Synthetic genetics toward understanding Barth syndrome cell biology

Associated Publications to Date:

*Funding for this award was provided by the Barth Syndrome Foundation, and the Barth Syndrome Foundation of Canada.

2006

Grant M. Hatch, PhD
Professor, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Acting Associate Dean of Medicine for Research
University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Cholesterol Metabolism in Barth syndrome

Associated Publications To Date:

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