The NR2F1 Foundation is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Christian P. Schaaf’s research laboratory in Heidelberg, Germany as their newest partner in the NR2F1 Foundation Global Alliance. The Alliance emphasizes the need of transparency and connectivity in breaking down the current silos in order to achieve the common goal of BBSOAS knowledge, research, education, and support.
The NR2F1 Foundation Global Alliance is composed of groups from around the world which include research, non-profit, industry, academic, and government groups, collaborating and partnering together to:
- push for research internationally with the common objective of developing life-changing medicines for patients with BBSOAS, and
- share best practices and information to better help persons living with BBSOAS.
Dr. Schaaf is a Professor, Medical Director and Department Chair of Heidelberg University's Institute of Human Genetics in Germany. In Houston, Texas, he is also a Visiting Professor at Baylor College of Medicine and the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute in Houston (USA). He researches the genetic causes of neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental diseases and disorders. His work has resulted in the discovery of many rare disease genes, two of which have been named after him: Bosch-Boonstra-Schaaf Optic Atrophy syndrome and Schaaf-Yang syndrome.
Dr. Schaaf has won many honors and awards for his groundbreaking research, and has written four books, including a major textbook. He advocates for his patients, helping their families to comprehend how human genetics can help them in terms of patient treatment, counseling, and family planning by educating them. He works relentlessly with family support groups to develop care plans and therapeutic options that will improve the quality of life for persons suffering from neuropsychiatric illness.
The researchers working with Dr. Schaaf in his laboratory in Heidelberg include Magdalena Laugsch, PhD (Group Leader), Pilar Caro, PhD (Research Coordinator), Ilia Valentin, MD (Physician), Ayat Ahmed, MSc (PhD Student), and Susanne Theiss (Technician). They are working to continue research on the NR2F1 gene and BBSOAS syndrome.
More information about Christian P. Schaaf, M.D., Ph.D. can be found on the Baylor College of Medicine website, and a list of his publications can be found here.
