Scientists at the University of Nottingham will look at why a type of genetic message, called RNA, gets stuck inside the control centre (nucleus) of cells in people with myotonic dystrophy, which could help uncover new ways to treat the condition in the future.
The research has been made possible thanks to funding from Muscular Dystrophy UK.
The charity has announced that its investing £2 million into 13 new pioneering research projects across England and Northern Ireland, including funding the four-year project at the University of Nottingham.
The leading charity for more than 110,000 children and adults in the UK, living with one of over 60 muscle wasting and weakening conditions, will be funding the new project that hopes to gain a better understanding of myotonic dystrophy, a genetic condition that typically affects the skeletal muscles, which are used for movement.
The project, led by Professor David Brook, from the School of Life Sciences at the University of Nottingham, will investigate why a type of genetic message, called RNA, gets stuck inside the control centre (nucleus) of cells in people with myotonic dystrophy. They believe tiny tags added to the RNA may be causing this problem. By investigating these tiny tags, they hope to understand what's going wrong.
I am very grateful to Muscular Dystrophy UK for this award. It will help us to work out which factors prevent the degradation of the mutant RNA that causes myotonic dystrophy and provide training for an excellent PhD student."
Kate Adcock, Director of Research and Innovation at Muscular Dystrophy UK, said: "We're proud to be increasing our investment in research year after year – reaching new areas, exploring more conditions, and supporting a growing community of scientists. Our latest funding at the University of Nottingham reflects that ambition, supporting research that could pave the way for treatments for myotonic dystrophy, while also helping to train the next generation through a dedicated PhD student."
