WPI NEWS ~SYNERGY
Season's Greetings 2013 ~ Vol. 7
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Greetings!
Your support of the institute's work gives real hope to those who are waiting for answers. Those of us at WPI believe that research holds the promise of effective treatment and a cure. For this reason, the money we raise each year is dedicated to keeping our vital research moving forward.
During the last two years, WPI researchers have successfully focused their efforts toward discovery of the immune system deficits found in those with chronic neuro-immune disorders. Our researchers believe that understanding the immunological basis of disease is a major key to ending ME/CFS and other similar disabling diseases.
Most recently, our researchers found that certain infection fighting immune cells, called plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), taken from patients with ME/CFS were activating viruses that normally remain quiet in our DNA. These active ancient viruses have been associated with several other serious diseases such as multiple sclerosis and breast cancer. Treatments aimed at addressing these issues are currently being developed for MS and may one day be applied to those with ME/CFS. In the meantime, WPI investigators are completing more detailed studies to help them identify the underlying process that leads to disease. This knowledge can point the way to successful treatment.
Most who suffer from neuro-immune diseases such as ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, and Gulf War illness spend years trying to find knowledgeable doctors and effective treatments without much success. To overcome these serious problems, the institute first established its comprehensive bench-to-bedside research program with off-site physicians. Now, one of the institute's primary medical research collaborators, Dr. Kenny De Meirleir of Brussels, Belgium, is adding his medical skills to WPI's Center for Translational Medicine. His outstanding lead ership and medical knowledge will serve patients at the Center for Translational Medicine while enhancing the institute's ability to shorten the time between discovery and treatment.
It is not uncommon to know someone who is impacted by neuro-immune diseases. By supporting the work of the institute, you will help us find critical answers for your neighbor, co-worker, and/or family member as well as millions of other people around the world. As we celebrate life's many blessings including good health, we hope that you will remember those who urgently need our help. By including WPI in your annual giving, you will help keep their greatest hope alive, HOPE of a CURE.
With warmest wishes and deepest gratitude,
Annette Whittemore and the WPI team
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WPI Appoints New Medical Director: Dr. De Meirleir
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WPI is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Kenny De Meirleir as Medical
 Director. Dr. De Meirleir will play a vital clinical, research, and administrative role by providing medical and research expertise and clinical support to WPI. Dr. De Meirleir has extensive experience treating patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and other chronic diseases. Much of Dr. De Meirleir's success with his patients stems from his comprehensive treatment approach. His goal is to reduce the severity of illness through appropriate dietary changes, immune support, and specific drug treatments for chronic infectious pathogens. "There are multiple steps in my treatment protocol that appear to be working well for a majority of my patients, but we still have much more to learn before we can successfully treat all of those who are affected," said Dr. De Meirleir. "Translating biological research to patient care is critical to our goal of providing the most effective treatments for all of our patients." While maintaining his practice in Belgium, Dr. De Meirleir will see patients at the Center for Translational Medicine at the institute every other month beginning in January 2014. To schedule an appointment or for more information about the medical practice, please email [email protected]. To listen to Dr. De Meirleir's web seminars visit wpinstitute.org. |
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WPI Investigators Invited to Russian Conferences on ME/CFS
On November 14th and 15th, Drs. De Meirleir, Lombardi and Khaiboullina were invited speakers at the prestigious 4th All Russian Federation Meeting for physicians and general practitioners held at the Korston Hotel in Kazan, Russia.
The goal of this meeting was to provide doctors with new and updated guidelines on treatment, prevention, and post therapeutic management of patients with various diseases. The WPI team presented the latest advances in understanding the pathogenesis of ME/CFS (referred to as neuro-asthenia in Russia). Dr. Lombardi presented his latest findings on the role of plasmacytoid dendritic cells in the gut of ME/CFS patients. Dr. De Meirleir spoke to physicians about the merits of using the Canadian Consensus Criteria for diagnosis of ME/CFS.
 In addition to discussing the latest advances in diagnosis and treatment of ME/CFS, the WPI team had a chance to meet with a number of neurologists and infectious disease doctors who typically see patients with ME/CFS and who were eager to discuss potential research collaborations with the WPI. During a round table discussion, the WPI team and their Russian collaborators outlined a joint research project aimed at understanding the pathogenesis of ME/CFS and evaluating efficacy and mechanism of action of therapeutics employed by each group. This potential project will represent the largest ME/CFS study conducted in Russia to date. The WPI team has agreed to provide technical expertise regarding diagnosis, study design, and data analysis. "I was encouraged by the opened-minded environment regarding ME/CFS and also by the commitment of the Russian government to address this serious health concern," stated Dr. Lombardi. Although ME/CFS likely impacts the Russian Federation to the same extent as it does elsewhere in the world, a serious research program has never been implemented in Russia. Therefore, it is the goal of the WPI to assist its Russian collaborators in addressing this issue and advancing ME/CFS research and treatment. "We are on the way to extending our research program into a new territory where ME/CFS is accepted as a serious illness, but where research and treatment is limited," stated Dr. Khaiboullina. "We are looking forward to working with local physicians and scientists and providing new ideas for their research." 
On November 20th, Drs. Lombardi and Khaiboullina also attended the International Symposium titled The Development of the Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology: Modern Trends in Research and Education held at Kazan Federal University. Drs. Lombardi and Khaiboullina presented research results, conducted in collaboration between WPI and the Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University. Drs. Lombardi and Khaiboullina were praised by the Director of the Russian Institute for their willingness to share knowledge and expertise with colleagues in Russia and around the world. In addition to informing symposium attendees about ongoing projects, they established new collaborations with multiple departments at the Kazan Federal University. "Our main focus was to implement a research collaboration to study the inflammatory component of patients with ME/CFS as well as gut immunity," explained Dr. Lombardi. "Our discussion was productive and generated new opportunities for future collaboration." Participants of the symposium included, among others, President of the Kazan State University; President of the Institute for Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University; Assistant Professor, Okinawa University, Japan; Professor, Okiyama University, Japan; Associate Professor, Karolinska University, Sweden; Associate Professor, Center for Neurology and Cell Biology, Kuibry University, Portugal; Professor, Cancer Center, Philadelphia, USA; and Chairperson of the Department of Genetics, Kazan Federal University.
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Shanti Rawat: WPI Senior Research Associate
 Shanti Rawat, M.S., adds her valuable experience in pharmacology, biochemistry, biology, zoology, and microbiology to the WPI research team. Mrs. Rawat supervises numerous projects and also oversees undergraduate and graduate students working in the WPI lab. She enjoys working in the WPI lab for a number of reasons, but she particularly likes learning exciting new laboratory techniques and preparing samples. Mrs. Rawat chose her career because she excelled in the sciences rather than liberal arts and is passionate about research. She likes to be hands on and is very organized and methodical, making science a natural fit for her. Mrs. Rawat holds a bachelor's degree in biology along with a master's degree in zoology from Lucknow University. She received a second master's degree in microbiology from the University of North Dakota. Prior to working for WPI, she worked for University of Nevada, Reno in Dr. Cherie Singer's and Dr. William Gerthoffer's laboratories. Mrs. Rawat's experiences in the research lab have given her a clearer understanding of the serious nature of ME/CFS. She is dedicated to helping WPI's team discover answers for those who suffer from neuro-immune diseases. To read more about Mrs. Rawat, please visit wpinstitute.org.
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Holidays can be especially difficult for those who are seriously ill, isolating them from their friends and family. To meet this challenge, WPI launched its first annual Holiday of Hope project in 2011. Each December, WPI delivers gift baskets with soothing, useful gifts to patients who may be home bound during the holidays. If you know of anyone in the Northern Nevada or Northern California areas who are in need this holiday season, please contact Kellen Jones at (775) 682-8250 or [email protected].
To donate to Holiday of Hope, please click here. Your donations to Holiday of Hope will help bring comfort and hope to those in need during the holidays.
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On Tuesday, August 27, 2013, Dr. Lombardi, Dr. Khaiboullina, and Annette Whittemore discussed the ongoing search for biomarkers in ME/CFS and current WPI collaborations with top Russian researchers. Annette also announced WPI's 2013 I Hope You Dance honorees.
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ME/CFS Alerts
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Deborah Waroff of ME/CFS Alerts interviewed Dr. Lombardi and Annette Whittemore in a four-part series. To watch the series, click on the links below.
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| WPI's Gala Fundraiser Brings our Community Together |
 I Hope You Dance 2013 Our 8th annual I Hope You Dance Gala was held at the Atlantis Hotel Casino and Spa on September 9, 2013. This year, we honored Bob and Jan Davidson with the Lifetime Achievement honor for their years of philanthropy in northern Nevada. Pat Fero was honored as the Outstanding Advocate of 2013 for her tireless efforts to bring awareness of, and a voice to, the patients most in need.
Guests browsed an extensive silent auction featuring items such as travel packages to Hawaii and the Country Music Awards and unique gift baskets created exclusively for the gala. The talented chefs at the Atlantis prepared a gourmet dinner and a mouth watering dessert trio, and Southern Wine & Spirits donated the wine for each table.
 Several people spoke about the devastation of neuro-immune diseases and the importance of WPI's research efforts. Emcee Pete Ernaut and Chad Sawyer from Moonlight Mobile DJ entertained guests and introduced special guests, rising Country Singer Suzi Oravec and songwriter / producer / guitarist Michael Elsner. It was a memorable evening of giving, fine dining, dancing, and heartwarming stories to honor and create awareness of those who suffer from neuro-immune diseases. View photo book.
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To stay up to date on ME/CFS news and important information, visit wpinstitute.org.
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Surviving the Holidays: Helpful Tips
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Health Rising
Mayo Clinic
By Mayo Clinic staff
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Donors and Sponsors
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Thank you to everyone who made our 2013 I Hope You Dance gala possible and to those who support us throughout each and every year. You inspire us every day to keep searching, believing, and hoping to find a cure. We are honored to have you beside us in our mission to find the answers to these life altering and debilitating diseases. For a complete list of our generous gala donors and sponsors, please view our special thank you presentation.
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A Special Thanks to Our 2013 Volunteers
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Lisa McMillin
Steve Milan
Aimee & Tom Giller
Debi & Bob Blades
Annelies White
Margie & Bob Welch
Richard Evans
Jenni & Rick Saake
Lamise & Glenn Carano
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Mike & Connie West
Carli & Pete Kinne
Mike Liddell
Kimberly Boehner
Amy Baker
Scott Langdon
Tim Hagen
Angelina Wyss
Pat Fero
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No one is more cherished in this world than someone who lightens the burden of another. Thank you. ~Author Unknown
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January 24, 2014
Research Symposium featuring Dr. Vincent Lombardi and Dr. Albert Rizvanov
March 20 - 23, 2014
11th IACFS/ME Biennial International Research and Clinical Conference co-sponsored by Stanford University-Translating Science into Clinical Care. For more information click here.
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December 2013
Holiday of Hope
Giving Tuesday
April 2014
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Just because Giving Tuesday has ended doesn't mean the season of giving is over! We all think about giving someday... what if someday was today?
Please donate today! 100% of your donation supports neuro-immune research.
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1664 N. Virginia Street | MS0552 | Reno, NV 89557-0552
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Copyright � 2013. All Rights Reserved.
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