We are pleased to share that we are funding nine new clinical and translational science research projects focusing on spinal muscular atrophy, Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies, immune mediated neuropathies, congenital myasthenic syndromes, immune-mediated neuromuscular junction disorders, myotonic dystrophy, occulopharyngeal muscular dystrophy, spinal bulbar muscular atrophy (Kennedy disease), and other related neuromuscular disorders.
Thank you to our donors who helped make this possible and to our Research Grant Review Panels of researchers, clinicians and community members with lived experience who volunteered their time to carefully review and help narrow down applications to our final projects.
“Through these exciting projects, these talented and dedicated Canadian researchers will develop new methods for disease diagnosis, uncover novel insight into disease pathogenesis, and develop new treatments options, amongst other meritorious projects,” says Dr. Robin Parks, Chair of the Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee for Muscular Dystrophy Canada (MDC) and Chair of the Translational Science Review Panel. “Through their support of MDC, donors, patients and their families are helping fund outstanding research projects that will move neuromuscular research forward and ultimately improve care and quality of life for those affected by neuromuscular disorders – which aligns with MDC’s mission.”
“We are extremely pleased with breadth of proposals received to our call for clinical and translational science research proposals we received this year. This is a hopeful sign of the continued momentum and progress in neuromuscular research. The nine selected recipients show exemplary innovation, dedication and promise of potential impact for a wide range of neuromuscular disorders,” says Stacey Lintern, CEO of Muscular Dystrophy Canada. “Because of our incredible community, we are able to fill a critical gap in research funding. We know how much change is possible from Canadian researchers and we are continually working with our supporters to ensure we invest in meaningful ways.”
Thank you to the Canadian neuromuscular research community for putting forward impactful applications.
2022-2023 WINNERS:
- Dr. Thomas Durcan, MD, The Royal Institution for the Advancement of Learning/McGill University
Building a screenable human 3D neuromuscular junction model for neuromuscular disorders - Dr. Christopher Perry, MD, York University
Mitochondrial-targeted therapies to improve Duchenne muscular dystrophy outcomes - Dr. Craig Campbell, MD, London Health Sciences Centre Research Inc. (Lawson Health Research Institute)
Genome-wide DNA methylation profile in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy - Dr. Michael Berger, MD, University of British Columbia
Measuring balance in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy - Dr. Bernard Jasmin, MD, University of Ottawa
Endurance training as a novel therapeutic strategy for Myotonic Dystrophy type 1 - Dr. Jodi Warman-Chardon, MD, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
QP-OPMD: Quantitative MRI Imaging to Assess Progression in Oculopharyngeal Muscular Dystrophy - Dr. Kerri Schellenberg, MD, The University of Saskatchewan
Exploring the impact of Spinal Bulbar Muscular Atrophy on persons self-identifying as Indigenous - Dr. Reshma Amin, MD, The Hospital for Sick Children Dr. Aaron Izenberg, MD, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
The Transition of TEENagers with Spinal Muscular Atrophy to a Multi-Disciplinary Adult Program - Dr. Maryam Oskoui, MD, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre
Motor network connectivity in spinal muscular atrophy: new pathways for intervention
