Connective Issues Winter 2026

prevent aortic dissection by guiding how specific immune cells behave. They also want to explore the possibility of using biomarkers to identify patients who are suitable for this type of therapy. While more research and testing are needed, this work provides critical groundwork. Why Donor-Funded Research Matters For many researchers, finding answers is hindered by limited resources and high cost. And for rare conditions like Marfan, Loeys-Dietz, and VEDS, funding at this scale is especially di ffi cult to secure. “Biomedical research is very expensive,” said Dr. De Backer. “The support from the Everest award enables us to pursue bold research avenues and test novel hypotheses with collaborators in a global setting.” For Dr. De Backer, receiving the Everest grant was both emotional and energizing. “I pinched myself several times!” she said. “It means so much for us as non-US researchers to be awarded this grant from the Marfan Foundation. Professionally, this kind of grant is invaluable and very stimulating to keep us going on our research path.” Equally important, the funding helps researchers stay connected to the community they serve. “This kind of collaboration puts me closer to the patients and motivates me to continue our research endeavor,” said Dr. Yanagisawa, who described the moment she received the news as “humbling and gratifying.”

“The grant has allowed our laboratories to join forces to pursue this new promising research avenue,” said Dr. Sips. “It is also a great recognition of our team e ff ort, and it provides a strong motivation to know that we have the support of the Foundation, which is rooted in the patient community.” That willingness to do research and discovery in a rare condition such as Marfan syndrome is because of donor support. The team credits donors and the Everest award for allowing them to gather the early evidence needed to compete for future grants, bringing promising ideas closer to real-world treatments. “The spotlight of the Everest award will bring other researchers from around the world to join us,” said Dr. De Backer. “Together, we hope to catalyze worldwide e ff orts to develop new treatments for Marfan syndrome and related conditions.”

Help fund the next medical breakthrough! Support research: Marfan.org/give.

 Patrick Sips, PhD, (right) and PhD student Maarten Dhaese, who is funded by the Everest grant

Learn more about our current and previously funded research at Marfan.org/research.

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