It was difficult for an outsider to make an entry into this round.

171

Our research shows how a genetic cause of Parkinson's disease works. We show how the normal function of the gene keeps dopamine cells from dying. If the gene is abnormal, these protective mechanisms cannot be brought into play.

156

If we can find drugs that increase activity of the DJ-1 gene, we may be able to stop the relentless progression of Parkinson's disease even in patients who don't have mutations in the gene. Stopping a disease in its earliest stages would be a tremendous breakthrough.

149