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Impact Report 2023 Dr David Palmer receives his first Neurological Foundation grant for BD research. He joins an international effort to develop a therapy. Sheep models of BD are developed and the potential of gene therapy is investigated. A collaboration of Lincoln and Otago researchers begin testing gene therapies in BD sheep. Professor Stephanie Hughes’ lab at the University of Otago tests gene therapy in the lab on a type of cell known to contribute to BD. Nadia Mitchell joins the BD research team at Lincoln. €k in NF grants ‚k in NF grants ƒ€k in NF grants  k in NF grants Steady progress – a story of research over time Breakthrough in Batten disease A•er 25 years of Baƒen disease (BD) research in NewZealand, a gene therapy for the rare and lethal childhood illness has now reached human trials. Dr NadiaMitchell leads a teamat Lincoln University who developed the therapy in a flock of sheep that naturally carry BD. It involvedmultiple neuroscientists and funding agencies, includingmore than $1 million in support from the Neurological Foundation since 1997. “Everyone deserves a chance to live their lives fully and hopefully our sheep can help make that a reality for Batten disease children and their families.” Dr Nadia Mitchell