Testing and developing a new stem cell therapy which could help to restore lost muscle function and prevent further muscle wastage in MND.
Principal Investigator: Dr Barney Bryson
Lead Institution: University College London
MND Association Funding: £165,971*
Funding dates: August 2022 - July 2024
* As part of the Motor Neuron Disease Translational Fund
About the project
In MND, the specialised connections between motor neurons and muscles break down and this causes weakness and paralysis. A new strategy has been developed to create new connections between motor neurons and muscles using stem cells which are engineered to respond to pulses of light. These have been shown to enable muscle contraction to be artificially controlled using light signals. This project is focusing on adapting this therapy for use in humans by creating genetically engineered motor neurons that are suitable for use in people. These human motor neurons will then be tested in rat models to see if they can be activated by light signals, initiate muscle contraction and help to prevent muscle wasting which occurs in the disease.
What could this mean for MND research?
This project will allow this new therapeutic strategy to be further adapted for use in humans and could help to progress this therapy towards testing in clinical trials. This treatment may help to restore some lost muscle function and prevent further muscle wastage in MND.
Resources
Project code: 994-797
