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Grants We Funded

Grant applicants for the 2023 cycle requested a total of nearly $4 million dollars. The PSF Study Section Subcommittees of Basic & Translational Research and Clinical Research evaluated nearly 140 grant applications on the following topics:

The PSF awarded research grants totaling over $1 million dollars to support nearly 30 plastic surgery research proposals.

ASPS/PSF leadership is committed to continuing to provide high levels of investigator-initiated research support to ensure that plastic surgeons have the needed research resources to be pioneers and innovators in advancing the practice of medicine.

Research Abstracts

Search The PSF database to have easy access to full-text grant abstracts from past PSF-funded research projects 2003 to present. All abstracts are the work of the Principal Investigators and were retrieved from their PSF grant applications. Several different filters may be applied to locate abstracts specific to a particular focus area or PSF funding mechanism.

Treatment of Peripheral Nerve Injury with P7C3

Principal Investigator
Stephen Kemp PhD

Year
2012

Institution
The Hospital for Sick Children

Funding Mechanism
Pilot Research Grant

Focus Area
Microsurgery, Peripheral Nerve

Abstract
Although peripheral nerves possess the capacity for axonal regeneration, both functional and behavioural recovery following nerve injury remain relatively poor and may be accompanied by debilitating neuropathic pain. This impairment is even more pronounced with proximal nerve injuries, which lead to massive injury-induced motorneuron cell death. P7C3, a novel aminopropyl carbazole, and its analogue (P7C3A20) have recently been shown to display proneurogenic, neuroprotective properties, and may promote neuronal survivial and enhance regeneration following nerve injury. However, this compound has not yet been meticulously tested in a model of nerve injury and repair.

The OVERALL OBJECTIVE of the proposed project is to enhance motor neuron survival, regeneration, and behavioural recovery following administration of the neurotrophic compound P7C3/P7C3A20 in both a neonatal and adult rodent model of sciatic nerve injury. The overall objective will be addressed through the following three Aims: (1) we will examine the neuroprotective role of P7C3/P7C3A20 treatment on both motor neuron survival and axonal regeneration following sciatic nerve injury in both a neonatal and adult injury paradigm; (2) we will assess the utility of P7C3/P7C3A20 therapy to improve both functional regeneration and behavioural recovery in both a neonatal and adult model of sciatic nerve injury, and; (3) we will examine and determine potential candidate factors responsible for the mechanism behind P7C3/P7C3A20 mediated neuroprotection such as neuregulin (NRG) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). Detailed anatomical, histological, electrophysiological, and skilled locomotor assessments will be employed in order to properly address these important questions. Our long term goal is to enhance nerve regeneration and subsequent behavioural recovery following nerve injury through the use of this novel compound. Both of these models are clinically viable and translatable, which may ultimately lead to wide scale medical administration of this compound following nerve injury in a patient population.

Biography
Stephen Kemp, PhD completed his Honours Bachelor of Science at the University of Toronto, where he conducted his undergraduate thesis under the supervision of Dr. Gerald Cupchik. During this time, Dr. Kemp’s research focused on the psychology of creativity, and the development of a "matching and modulation" psychological model of aesthetic response. Dr. Kemp’s undergraduate thesis led to the publication of two peer-reviewed publications, and one book chapter. Following graduation, Dr. Kemp completed his Master’s degree at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, under the supervision of Linda Parker, PhD. His research focused on the effect of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on lithium induced sickness behaviours in both rats and house musk shrews. Stephen completed his PhD at the University of Calgary, under the mentorship of Rajiv Midha, MD, focusing on the anatomical, sensorimotor, and functional evaluation of peripheral nerve regeneration through bio-engineered conduits in rodents. During this tenure, Dr. Kemp became a member of numerous scientific societies, including the Society for Neuroscience, the Canadian Society for Neuroscience, and the American Society for Peripheral Nerve. Dr. Kemp also published nine peer-reviewed publications. One of his papers was highlighted in Experimental Neurology as an outstanding paper. Following his tenure in Calgary, Dr. Kemp accepted a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Toronto and The Hospital for Sick Children with Gregory Borschel, MD and Tessa Gordon, PhD. Dr. Kemp continues to investigate treatment of nerve injuries, and has expanded his research to focus on treatment of neonatal nerve injuries. Dr. Kemp has won numerous awards during his scientific career, including prestigious postdoctoral awards. Overall, Dr. Kemp has 14 published peer reviewed publications, two book chapters, two News and Views commentaries, 18 abstracts, and 21 international conference presentations.