David Heaton–Ellis

Mikie Heaton–Ellis

David Heaton–Ellis died of motor neuron disease on May 10th 2009. The Heaton–Ellis trust was formed shortly before his death with the specific aim of finding a cure for the disease.

The Trust is committed to raising £1 million to fund the research programme headed by Professor Chris Shaw at the department of Clinical Neuroscience, King's College Hospital in London

Developments to Date

The recruitment of two post–doctoral research assistants

The recruitment of a PhD student

Access to cutting edge gene sequencing and computer technology

The preparation of DNA samples from patients with familial MND

The funding of a project to find the gene that causes a specific type of familial MND, the success of which will have a huge impact on understanding the causes of familial MND in general

The ability to utilise expertise in discovering what effect diseased genes have on nerve cells, which will significantly quicken the pace at which genes can be tested

The Trustees are hopeful that over the next few years significant advances in the discovery of diseased genes will be made. This hope is based on the fact that since the project started 1 1/2 years ago four genes have been discovered, making seven in total. It is estimated that there are about 20 that need to be discovered, before progress can be made in developing drugs to deal with the onset of MND.

The Heaton–Ellis Trust funding not only allows this vital research to take place but it also means that the talent of Professor Chris Shaw and his team can remain focused completely on the research. Professor Shaw is one of the world's leading MND researchers which in turn means tht he has access to exceptionally talented scientists and clinicians. His standing has enabled him to form invaluable relationships with scientists abroad to ensure a high level of collaboration in the worldwide hunt for a cause for MND.

The last two years have been extremely successful for the Heaton–Ellis Trust, in terms of the monies raised, which now total £700,000.