New Memorandum of Understanding signed to create partnership in neuroscience research

Dec 16 2013

Partnership to include the Feinstein Institute, Cold Spring Harbor Lab, Penn Medicine, Temple University, and Israel Brain Technologies

Today, Congressmen Steve Israel (D-NY) and Chaka Fattah (D-PA) announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) dedicated to creating a partnership in neuroscience research, and in particular, research on Alzheimer's disease. Signers of the MOU included the Feinstein Institute in Manhasset, Cold Spring Harbor Lab in Cold Spring Harbor, Penn Medicine in Philadelphia, Temple University in Philadelphia, and Israel Brain Technologies in Ramat Hasharon, Israel. Representatives from all the institutions were present. Both Reps. Israel and Fattah have been leaders in Congress on the issue of neuroscience and Alzheimer's research.

Rep. Israel said, "I was thrilled to join my colleague, Rep. Fattah, to announce a revolutionary global partnership between five world-class research institutions in neuroscience. I am confident that groundbreaking research will come from this partnership that will bring us closer to understanding the brain and finding a treatment, cure or prevention method for Alzheimer's disease. Both Rep. Fattah and I have been staunch advocates in Congress for more research for neuroscience and Alzheimer's disease, and today's announcement is an important step forward."

Rep. Fattah said, "Understanding that significant advancements in neuroscience require a sharing of resources, research, and strengthened communication, Rep. Israel and I are thrilled to see such a partnership formalized today. This is an international challenge that one organization or one country cannot solve on its own—rather it calls for global commitment, and most importantly, collaboration. Together these leading institutions from our districts, and Israel, will build extraordinary teams of researchers and doctors dedicated to discovering new treatments and cures. I look forward to joining them and Rep. Israel in our continued fight against brain disease."

Dr. Peter Davies, Director of the Litwin-Zucker Research Center for the Study of Alzheimer's Disease at the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research said, "It is absolutely essential that scientists involved in neuroscience and Alzheimer's disease collaborate. We will not cure Alzheimer's disease by ourselves. This collaboration represents a concrete step in bringing together five groups that have real interest and commitment to finding effective treatments."

Cold Spring Harbor Lab Associate Professor Josh Dubnau, Ph.D. said, "Science is at its best when researchers with different ideas come together and collaborate. In order to overcome the great challenge of defeating Alzheimer's disease we need science at its best. Congressmen Israel and Fattah understand this, and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory is proud to be part of this historic collaborative research effort."

Frances Jensen, MD, chair of the Department of Neurology at Penn Medicine said, "Penn Medicine is thrilled to have Congressman Fattah's strong leadership in neuroscience. The path forward in science is through teams of researchers, and inter- institutional enterprises such as those being recognized today.   We believe the enhanced exchange of information fostered by this group will hasten new treatments for these devastating diseases and benefit all involved."

Michele Masucci, Interim Senior Vice Provost for Research at Temple said, "Temple University welcomes this extraordinary opportunity to join with some of the world's top researchers and institutions in tackling these pressing healthcare issues that are impacting millions of individuals and their families around the world. This exciting and important initiative will involve Temple faculty from across the university who are engaged in state-of-the-art collaborative research in neuroscience, neurovirology and neuroAIDS. We also commend the leadership shown by Congressmen Chaka Fattah and Steve Israel in establishing this importance alliance, and we are confident that with their ongoing commitment and support, this global partnership will be on the frontier of finding workable solutions to Alzheimer's and other brain-related diseases."

Rafi Gidron, Founder and Chairman of Israel Brain Technologies (IBT), said,  "We are very excited to be joining forces with Congressmen Chaka Fattah and Steve Israel and with such distinguished U.S. institutions to work together to tackle some of the world's most pressing healthcare issues. Inspired by the vision of Israel's President Shimon Peres, IBT has made it a top priority to foster collaboration between Israeli scientists and entrepreneurs and their counterparts in the U.S. in the fields of neuroscience and neurotechnology. This collaboration represents an important first step in a long-term partnership between Israel and the U.S. Together, we can make a major impact on the lives of millions throughout the world."