Muscular Dystrophy News and Research

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The muscular dystrophies (MD) are a group of more than 30 genetic diseases characterized by progressive weakness and degeneration of the skeletal muscles that control movement. Some forms of MD are seen in infancy or childhood, while others may not appear until middle age or later. The disorders differ in terms of the distribution and extent of muscle weakness (some forms of MD also affect cardiac muscle), age of onset, rate of progression, and pattern of inheritance.

Life Biosciences contributes $100,000 to fund its biomedical innovation course on aging

The MDI Biological Laboratory has announced that Life Biosciences, a biotech company co-founded by David Sinclair, Ph.D., a leading researcher on aging and age-related diseases, has contributed $100,000 to fund its biomedical innovation course on aging.

17 Aug 2018

New project to combat DMD-related fibrosis receives major funding boost

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is one of the most common congenital diseases in the world, affecting one in 3,500 Canadian males. DMD is caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene that results in progressive muscle degeneration and there are currently no effective treatments for DMD.

17 Aug 2018

Researchers develop molecular matrix that delivers healing stem cells to injured elderly muscles

A car accident leaves an aging patient with severe muscle injuries that won't heal. Treatment with muscle stem cells from a donor might restore damaged tissue, but doctors are unable to deliver them effectively. A new method may help change this.

16 Aug 2018

MDI Biological Laboratory introduces Morris Scientific Discovery Fund for eligible research programs

The MDI Biological Laboratory has announced the formation of the Morris Scientific Discovery Fund, which will provide a total of up to $250,000 per year for eligible research programs.

14 Aug 2018

Blue-light scope improves detection of bladder cancer

From day one, Robert McMichael has been determined to live the best life he can. Born with muscular dystrophy, he refused to let his physical challenges block his path to achievement and completed medical school and a demanding residency in neurology.

9 Aug 2018

Protein known to drive nerve cell survival may protect children from Duchenne cardiomyopathy

A protein known to drive nerve cell survival in the brain and spinal cord might also protect failing hearts in children and young adults with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association's Basic Cardiovascular Sciences Scientific Sessions, a premier global exchange of the latest advances in basic cardiovascular science.

2 Aug 2018

Researchers use guide RNAs to improve base editing system

Researchers have used guide RNAs to improve the adenine base editing (ABE) system, used by scientists to alter genetic codes in animal models of disease.

1 Aug 2018

Top AI companies join hands to discover novel drugs for DMD

Insilico Medicine a leader in artificial intelligence for drug discovery, biomarker development and aging research, announced a research collaboration agreement with A2A Pharmaceuticals, Inc. A2A is a biotechnology company headquartered in New York and focused on development of novel drugs for unmet needs in oncology, drug resistant bacterial infections, and other life threatening diseases.

20 Jul 2018

Children with disabilities endure long waits for life-changing medical equipment

Bev Baker-Ajene waited so long to get an adult-sized wheelchair for her teenage daughter, Savitri, that she eventually forgot she'd ordered it.

19 Jul 2018

Alternative splicing plays vital role in adult muscle mass maintenance

Despite the importance that changes in muscle mass have in aging, overall body metabolism and in chronic disease, we still don't fully understand the mechanisms that contribute to the maintenance of adult muscle mass.

11 Jul 2018

Study finds that several existing anti-cancer drugs may work in part by binding to RNA

Bolstering the notion that RNA should be considered an important drug-discovery target, scientists at Scripps Research have found that several existing, FDA-approved anti-cancer drugs may work, in part, by binding tightly to RNA, the regulators of the basic activities of life within cells.

30 Jun 2018

Glucose-based dietary supplement increases muscle-force in Duchenne muscular dystrophy mouse

A dietary supplement derived from glucose increases muscle-force production in the Duchenne muscular dystrophy mouse model by 50% in ten days, according to a study conducted by researchers from Université Laval's Faculty of Medicine and Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec Research Centre-Université Laval.

30 Jun 2018

CRISPR technique reduces repetitive behavior in fragile X syndrome mouse models

Scientists have used CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to lessen some autism symptoms in mice with a form of fragile X syndrome, the most common known single-gene cause of autism spectrum disorder.

25 Jun 2018

Researchers discover protein responsible for X chromosome inactivation

Researchers have discovered that the structural protein SMCHD1 is required to prevent genes from both X chromosomes being expressed in female mammals.

7 Jun 2018

KFU medical departments seek to find treatments for hereditary syndromes

Newest results were showcased at the International Myology School in Moscow on 16th - 19th May 2018. KFU was represented by Junior Research Associate Mikhail Mavlikeev.

6 Jun 2018

New cell-based technologies could help improve understanding of muscle-wasting disease

Researchers from Queen Mary University of London have developed new cell-based technologies which could help improve understanding of the muscle-wasting disease Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and test potential drugs for the disease.

6 Jun 2018

Mapping the Genes Responsible for Pluripotency

Dr. Atilgan Yilmaz and his team have developed a method by which they can produce haploid human embryonic stem cells from oocytes. They combined this technique with CRISPR-Cas9 to generate an atlas of the genome, containing the functions of over 18,000 genes.

23 May 2018

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