Platform development for candidate drug screening for FSHD

Platform development for candidate drug screening for FSHD: Miller Lab News Story

The Miller Lab has made exciting progress in the development of a platform for screening genes and compounds with activities that affect FSHD-specific pathogenic processes. This platform (developed using funds provided by The Friends of FSH Research and largely orchestrated by FSHD-Research Scholar Dr. Gregory Block) allows muscle cells to be cultured for long periods of time. Most cells when cultured outside of the body have a limited number of cell divisions before they simply stop dividing,  however when expression of the CDK4 and Telomerase genes are “forced” in these cells, they continue to divide as if they had just been removed from someone’s muscle, a finding initially published by FSHD-researcher Dr. Gillian Butler-Browne. The improved longevity allows for careful study of a number of different characteristics in the same cells, and removes some of the experimental variability that is seen when comparing cells that have been allowed to divide for different lengths of time. Most significantly, we have optimized conditions that reveal FSHD-specific differences when cells from FSHD-affected individuals are compared to un-affected control individuals. While this may seem obvious, FSHD researchers have been plagued by the somewhat normal growth, differentiation, and lifespan of FSHD muscle cells, and the lack of physical differences in these cells when their growth characteristics are compared to cells derived from biopsies of normal muscles. Putting these two findings together will allow us to begin to efficiently search for genes and molecules that specifically prevent FSHD-cells from becoming sick. We are excited about the prospects for identification of drug targets that may be useful for developing treatments that slow or eliminate the muscle loss in FSHD.  

Friends of FSH Research - Better Business Bureau Approval

Friends of FSH Research - Charity - Health - Better Business Bureau

New "DNA Combing" Test for FSHD

Biotech company Genomic Vision just announced the release to market of a new method of testing for FSHD. The test uses molecular combing technology that stretches DNA and affixes it to a treated glass surface. The DNA can then be analyzed using FSHD-specific software.

"Current diagnostic methods are laborious and provide results that are difficult to interpret," says Dr. Pierre Walrafen, project manager at Genomic Vision.

The methods Dr. Walrafen refers to are less accurate owing to the complications inherent in the causes of FSHD, and the new test will hopefully improve accuracy and effectiveness in testing for FSHD.

The Timone hospital in Marseille, France, has adopted the technology for regular use--an estimated 300 to 500 patients per year. Prof. Clemens Muller-Reible at the human genetics institute in the Biology Center of the University of Wurzburg is also deploying the method as a beta test.

Core Muscle Exercise For Muscular Dystrophy | LIVESTRONG.COM

Core Muscle Exercise For Muscular Dystrophy

Previously, physicians advised patients with neuromuscular diseases to avoid exercise, based on the theory that it might exasperate their condition. No controlled studies have examined this theory. Although research is limited, clinical data suggests that strengthening exercises in combination with aerobic exercise is likely to benefit patients with muscular dystrophy. Consult your doctor before starting an exercise program.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/554471-core-muscle-exercise-for-muscular-dystrophy/#ixzz1lN7hf7kM