Toronto, Ontario – Muscular Dystrophy Canada (MDC) is proud to announce an investment of $832,766 to fund nine new clinical and translational science research projects in 2023 through the MDC neuromuscular disorder (NMD) research grant competition, a dedicated Canadian source of funding for neuromuscular research.
“Muscular Dystrophy Canada is a leader in funding ground-breaking research for all neuromuscular disorders. This does two things: first, it lets us advance the global understanding of NMDs and the advancement of more treatments, therapies, and potential cures. And second, our involvement with these research projects means we can get people the most up-to-date information they need,” stated Stacey Lintern, CEO, Muscular Dystrophy Canada.
Drawing on the expertise of Canadian and international reviewers, including neurologists, researchers, allied health care professionals, and people with lived experience, the top projects were identified for funding.
“We held a rigorous peer-review process, and as a result, the projects selected for funding are diverse and potentially high-impact research. The projects cover different neuromuscular disorders and aspects of diagnosis, clinical care, and management and evaluate the impact on muscle function and systems outside of muscles, as well as quality of life,” said Dr. Homira Osman, Vice President, Research and Public Policy, Muscular Dystrophy Canada. She added, “supporting such projects not only contributes to the knowledge base, but it strengthens the Canadian neuromuscular research infrastructure and brings us one step closer to cures.”
The projects submitted this year for consideration were of remarkable quality, and we thank each and every team for their interest in doing this important work. MDC relies on the generosity of Fire Fighters, donors and volunteers to invest in life-changing research, and is honoured to fund the exceptional and bright researchers, clinicians and academics who will lead these nine new projects taking place in hospitals and universities across Canada.
The 2023-2024 research grant recipients are:
Clinical
Dr Tyler Churchward-Venne
McGill University
Dietary protein requirements in adults with muscular dystrophy
Dr Hernan Gonorazky
The Hospital for Sick Children
Muscle MRI in neuromuscular disorders: The era of artificial intelligence
Dr Jill Zwicker
University of British Columbia
Reimagining rehabilitation for SMA: Patient and family perspectives
Dr Eric Voorn
University of Amsterdam
B-FIT! Taking exercise away from the hospital into the home environment for people with Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy
Dr Reshma Amin
The Hospital for Sick Children
Establishing the top ten research priorities for respiratory care of childhood neuromuscular disorders
Translational
Dr Pascal Chartrand
University of Montreal
Pre-clinical testing of novel pharmacological inhibitors of toxic DMPK mRNA in models of myotonic dystrophy type 1
Dr James Dowling
The Hospital for Sick Children
Therapy development for centronuclear myopathy caused by DNM2 gene changes
Dr Simon Girard
Université du Québec à Chicoutimi
How genealogies (family histories) can help us understand myotonic dystrophy type 1
Dr Martine Tétreault
University of Montreal
Evaluating the impact of stop variants on MLIP’s (Muscular LMNA-Interacting Protein) function in muscle
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ABOUT MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY CANADA
Muscular Dystrophy Canada’s mission is to enhance the lives of those impacted with neuromuscular disorders by continually working to provide ongoing support and resources while relentlessly searching for cures through well-funded research. To learn more about Muscular Dystrophy Canada, please explore our website or call our toll-free number at 1-800-567-2873
MEDIA CONTACT
Heather RiceMuscular Dystrophy Canada
heather.rice@muscle.ca
902-440-3714
