Yesterday it was announced that a recently identified retrovirus has been linked to a debilitating neuro-immune disease, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, which affects more than one million people in the United States. The retroviral link was discovered by scientists from the Whittemore Peterson Institute, which is based on our main Reno campus, and their collaborators from the National Cancer Institute and the Cleveland Clinic. The team recently published its groundbreaking findings in the journal, Science, one of the world’s leading scientific journals. In addition, this breakthrough is receiving significant and well deserved national media coverage.

This is an incredibly significant discovery for those with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and it has important implications for the world of science and medicine. Scientific breakthroughs are often iterative, and a finding of this magnitude can lead to additional discoveries and new research frontiers.

We believe in partnerships and are delighted to have the Whittemore Peterson Institute on our campus. This scientific breakthrough speaks to the level of research happening in Nevada, and this will only be magnified with the opening of the Center for Molecular Medicine which will be the future home of the Whittemore Peterson Institute. The Center for Molecular Medicine will open fall 2010. 

On behalf of the University of Nevada, Reno, I extend my congratulations to the researchers with the Whittemore Peterson Institute and their collaborators. Their work – which is inspired, shared and supported by Harvey and Annette Whittemore – will have a lasting impact on the diagnosis and treatment of this syndrome and potentially other neuro-immune diseases.

 Link to Nevada News story: http://www.unr.edu/nevadanews/templates/details.aspx?articleid=5207&zoneid=8

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