Has Parkinson’s finally met its match?

A cure for Parkinson’s disease continues to elude modern medicine. But one researcher from Iowa State has worked tirelessly to unlock the mysteries of Parkinson's. Day by day, discovery by discovery, he's gaining ground.

Years ago, distinguished professor of biomedical sciences Anumantha Kanthasamy identified the protein that kills dopamine-producing cells in the brain, known as kinase-C. This lack of dopamine in Parkinson's sufferers results in abnormal nerve functioning, causing a loss in the ability to control body movements.

Armed with his previous findings, Kanthasamy is seeking to develop a process to modify the production of the kinase-C -- and more important, to inhibit it.

"We have found the mechanism that regulates the survival of dopamine-producing nerve cells," said Kanthasamy. "Now we can focus on chemicals to control the mechanism."

All across Iowa State you’ll find adventurous professors like Anumantha Kanthasamy burning the midnight fluorescent, inventing solutions that are changing the world in every way imaginable: whether it's developing a method to make artificial bones for trauma patients, sequencing plant genomes to make them more resistant to drought, or creating incredibly maneuverable aerial vehicles inspired by bats. Imagine how lucky the students of these professors feel, getting to witness breakthroughs at the moment of discovery.

As for Dr. Kanthasamy's research, it's showing encouraging progress. The one million people who suffer from Parkinson's disease are rooting for him.

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