ST. LOUIS – Wells Fargo Foundation announced recently an $8,000 grant awarded to Van Andel Institute to help fund the research of rare disorders being conducted at VAI in cooperation with clinical providers of Spectrum Health.

The objective of this research effort is to identify causal mutations for rare diseases. Individuals afflicted by rare disease are routinely encountered within the Spectrum Health system. According to the National Organization of Rare Diseases, there are approximately 7,000 conditions that qualify as being rare. The genetic basis for many rare diseases is unknown but, if known, would greatly enhance diagnosis, treatment, and patient counseling.

The study will be conducted by Bart Williams, Ph.D., Head of Van Andel Institute?s Laboratory of Cell Signaling and Carcinogenesis, and Matt Steensma, M.D. Dr. Steensma is a fellowship-trained, orthopaedic oncologist with the Spectrum Health Medical Group. He holds a joint appointment as the Assistant Professor and Director of VAI?s Laboratory of Muskoskeletal Oncology, and as an assistant professor in the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine Department of Surgery.

The grant is one of nearly three hundred local needs grants being made throughout the U.S. by Wells Fargo Foundation as part of the firm?s Investing in Our Communities initiative. Wells Fargo & Company has a strong legacy of giving to the community. In 2011, the combined company contributed more than $219 million in grants and sponsorships to nonprofit organizations and 1.3 million team member hours volunteering in communities across the United States.

?Wells Fargo Advisors is committed to building strong and vibrant communities, improving quality of life, and making a positive difference where we live and work,? said Danny Ludeman, president & CEO of Wells Fargo Advisors. ?As a leader in our industry, we recognize that investing in our communities is a responsibility we have as a result of doing business there, and we understand that our firm is only as strong as the communities where we are located.?