Investigating how protein production disruption, caused by FUS, can alter the function of nerve cells.
Principal Investigator: Dr Nicol Birsa
Lead Institution: University College London
MND Association Funding: £269,943*
Funding dates: September 2022 - August 2025
*Supported by the Lady Edith Wolfson Fellowship Programme
About the project
FUS is a protein that regulates the production of other proteins and is known to be dysfunctional in MND. This project aims to understand how the disruptions to protein production caused by FUS alter the function of nerve cells and their connection to muscles. Once it is understood how nerve cells are damaged, the project will move on to investigating if it is possible to correct this damage. Understanding the changes to nerve cells in MND is crucial to designing new and effective treatments.
What could this mean for MND research?
This project will help to understand how nerve cells are damaged in MND and then see if it is possible to correct the damage done. Understanding the biological mechanisms of MND is important to working out how to treat and ultimately cure the disease. This work will help to find new targets for therapeutic treatments.
Project code: 976-799
