DOCUMENT

24 Cutting-edge research with cultural sensitivity Kiwi researchers are learning more about the PINK1 gene variant, which has a high prevalence in people fromTonga, Samoa and Tokelau. Knowing there’s a single gene change that causes 70%of young-onset Parkinson’s disease cases in a population is a big advantage when it comes to diagnoses and treatment. Inwork fundedby theFoundation, University of Auckland researcher TameVailahi will be growing cell lines fromvolunteers’ skin samples. Rather than doing experiments on people, Tamewill use these cell lines to test futurepossible therapies. The fact that he’sTongan and has worked on Polynesian-specific genetic variants for hismasters researchmakesTame one of the few scientists who can work in this spacewith inherent cultural sensitivity and understanding. He’s happy to be giving back to his own community, who are anxious for research to provide answers. Attending aPINK1 support group is a unique aspect ofTame’s ongoingwork. Connectionsmade with families and caregivers provide greatmotivation as he aims to improvepeople’s lives. “They are keen to help in any way they can.Themotivating factor is their kids being affected,” saysTame. There’s a typeof Parkinson's disease that canoccur in people as youngas12, and canbe inherited fromparents who’venever shownany symptoms themselves. “Because this type of Parkinson’s is young-onset, it affects people’s careers. They lose income, but also satisfaction and mana. Often their partner has to stop work, too. My goal is to help develop a molecular therapy that will be life-changing for people with the PINK1 gene.” Tame is supervised by neurologist Associate Professor Richard Roxburgh, and renowned Parkinson’s researchers Dr Peter Freestone and Dr Christina Buchanan.