New Funding Available for Research into the Science of Appetite Control

Sarasota, FL (PRWEB) May 6, 2009

The Prader-Willi Syndrome Association (USA) has announced its recent commitment of significant resources from its Research Fund to support the scientific effort to solve the puzzling problem of hyperphagia (the extreme unsatisfied drive to consume food). Scientists and researchers are encouraged to apply for the new "Best Idea Grant."

The availability of the grant funding is being made in conjunction with the First International Conference on Hyperphagia. This conference will for the first time gather together experts from around the world to discuss developments and unanswered questions of appetite control linking hyperphagia in uncommon disorders with overeating in the general population.

Applicants for the award must have attended the conference and participated in the unique roundtable discussions focusing on developing a series of recommendations for the "Best Avenues" for future research. Funding of at least $ 100,000 will be available in multiples of $ 25,000 to be paid out over 1-2 years. Researchers are encouraged to design projects to solve problems independent of resource limitations and refrain from designing projects which fit established funding availability and funding schedules. In an effort to accelerate solutions, the grant approval process will be expedited.

Having funded over a million dollars of research over the past ten years PWSA (USA) hopes this new "Best Idea Grant" initiative will have an immediate impact on the research performed in the area of appetite control and obesity. Projects are particularly welcome that cut across disorders and disciplines, and have future potential to benefit the treatment of hyperphagia in uncommon disorders and overeating in obesity amongst the general population.

"We hope that by offering this unique funding opportunity, the research community will design progressive projects capitalizing on the ideas generated by the conference and thereby accelerate solutions to the problems of insatiable hunger and obesity." says Janalee Heinemann, Director of Medical Affairs and Research of PWSA (USA).

The unique structure of the conference will include representatives from the National Institutes of Health, the pharmaceutical industry, the academic world and experts from several disorders which have hyperphagia as a hallmark characteristic. Discussion will center on such areas as genetics, molecular biology, behavior and psychology, addiction, neuroimaging, gastroenterology, endocrinology and animal models. The conference is scheduled for June 4th and 5th in Baltimore, MD.

George Bray, M.D. from the Pennington Biomedical Research Center will be the keynote speaker on Thursday night, June 4th. Dr. Bray has spent his career focusing on the problems of obesity and has written a multitude of articles on appetite control, obesity and diabetes.

Additionally, Hans-Rudolf Berthoud, Ph.D., has agreed to give the keynote address on Friday morning, June 5th. Dr. Berthoud is a world renowned expert in the neurobiology of appetite, having studied and written extensively about the gut-brain interactions and the neural circuitry controlling appetite and obesity problems.

"Prader-Willi syndrome has been described as the Window of Opportunity for study into the perplexing problems of hunger. Hunger and overeating are cornerstones in the foundation of the critical worldwide public health problem of obesity. The study of the extreme condition in such disorders as Prader-Willi syndrome, Alstrőm, WAGR, Fragile X and Bardet-Biedl will yield results applicable to the general population," says conference co-chair James Kane.

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), a complex syndrome affecting appetite, metabolism, growth, metabolism, cognitive function and behavior, occurs in 1:12,000 to 15,000 births. PWS impacts both males and females and all ethnic groups. Currently there is no cure and, to date, no medications or procedures are successful in staving off the relentless hunger and resulting obesity. Without environmental supports and dietary restrictions, those with PWS may suffer morbid, life-threatening obesity and premature death.

PWSA (USA) is a 501(c)(3) charity that helps children and adults with PWS and their families through every stage of life. It was formed in 1975 to serve parents, professionals, and other interested citizens. Hospitals, physicians, and parents from all over the world consult with PWSA (USA) with medical emergencies and questions daily. A 24-hour medical emergency hotline is offered at (800) 926-4797 to advise and assist families and medical and other professionals.

For more information about the Best Idea Grant and The First International Conference on Hyperphagia, visit http://www.hyperphagia.org, http://www.pwsausa.org, or contact Janalee Heinemann, Director of Medical Affairs and Research for PWSA (USA) at 800-926-4797 or James G. Kane, Chair, Research Advocacy Team for PWSA (USA) at 410-321-9788.

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Related Series C Funding Press Releases

Capital Corp Merchant Banking President & CEO Gilles Herard, Jr Engineers $80 Million Funding Deal for A 60 MW Solar (PV) Panel Facility

Orlando, FL (PRWEB) September 30, 2011

Capital Corp Merchant Banking has entered into a $ 80 million funding agreement with a renewable energy company from Romania. The project, located in the southeast area of the country, comes at the right time as Romania is keen on developing renewable energy sources within its borders.

The funding agreement Mr Herard designed is based on 100% debenture. The project consists of starting with an initial facility that will produce 60 MW and eventually bring the facility to full capacity, for a total of 120 MW. The technology to be used will consist of pre-integrated photovoltaic (PIPV) solar modules, which are ready-to-install kits that require no use of tools or electrical connections for setup. These modules allow high levels of flexibility and scalability according to clients needs, from kW range to multi-MW scales. PIPV modules are also environmentally friendly as they are made from non-polluting and easily recycled materials.

The Client is a designer, developer, manufacturer, and distributor of this modular technology and aims to achieve and maintain a market leading position in the PIPV market.

Only a short time ago, PV panels were still expensive but as time goes on and as the technology develops and becomes more widespread, the costs have decreased. Moreover, the PV production technology is in continuous development, leading to decreased power generation costs, which in turns will allow grid parity to become achievable in the coming years.

2010 and 2011 have been widely regarded as milestone years for the development of the green energy market in Romania. In fact, wind and solar maps show that there is hardly any region in Romania that would not fit to environmentally friendly energy production. The extensive renewable energy production potential of the country is due to its marine climate and southern location in Europe. Currently, green energy possibilities in Romania correspond to a high renewable energy potential, mostly underutilized, which makes Romania an attractive location for green energy investors, developers, and operators looking for alternative markets outside the conventional Western European countries, according to ENREG ENERGIA REGENERABILA. Photovoltaic projects are particularly interesting in southeast Romania where irradiation can reach a level of 1650 kWh/m2.

The method by which this project is to be funded is the brainchild of Mr Herard. Mr Herard is a seasoned merchant banker and has been in the banking industry for 38 years. He worked early in his career at the Toronto Dominion Bank (Canada) and later on joined Manufacturer Hanover (MH) of New York as Senior Credit Analyst. He eventually created his own Firm, Capital Corp Merchant Banking, where he syndicates and structures funding for top companies worldwide, all the while investing his own firms funds into the projects. As the head of Capital Corp Merchant Banking, Mr Herard has become a leading figure in international middle-market project financing and engineers all funding structures for projects at Capital Corp. Mr Herard has received numerous awards for his work and other contributions including being appointed to the Presidential Business Commission, Honorary Co-Chairman of the Business Advisory Council, nominated as Executive of the Year by the internationally acclaimed National Registers Whos Who, and having received the Senatorial Medal of Freedom, among many others.

About Capital Corp Merchant Banking:

Capital Corp Merchant Banking offers quality Merchant Banking services for a variety of projects worldwide. Capital Corp Merchant Banking has developed close working relationships with groups of Professionals: Specialists in Finance, Commercial Risks Insurance and Re-Insurance, International Accounting Firms and Law Firms, and the largest Valuation Firm in the world. Capital Corp Merchant Banking is solution-oriented and known for being the most flexible Funding Source on the Market in creating handcrafted investment structures to meet the needs of the different constituent groups in each individual transaction. Capital Corp Merchant Banking offers many services: Project Financing, Consulting, Due Diligence, Evaluation of a Business, Negotiating Services, Acquisitions, Investment Approach, and Presentation Reports as well. For further information, please visit our website.

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