Ground-breaking funding announcement for XL-SMA research
Sept 2023: Euan MacDonald Centre researcher Prof Tom Gillingwater has been awared new funding for his research into gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy.
Professor Gillingwater has been awarded a two-year project grant by the charity Muscular Dystrophy UK. The team previously developed gene therapy to treat x-linked spinal muscular atrophy (XL-SMA). Previously they were unable to test this due to the lack of animal models. With receipt of this grant, the University of Edinburgh researchers will characterise a newly generated mouse-model which is much needed to test new treatments for XL-SMA.
X-linked SMA is a rare neuromuscular condition for which no treatments currently exist. We are delighted, therefore, to receive this ground-breaking funding from Muscular Dystrophy UK. We hope that the project will speed up the development and delivery of effective therapies for patients.
Professor Thomas Gillingwater
This is the first time Muscular Dystrophy UK has provided funding into X-linnked spinal muscular atrophy, so to fund the Edinburgh project is a real milestone.
Researchers have made incredible advances that would have been unthinkable just 10 years ago, and we're proud to be able to support these new efforts.
Kate Adcock, Director of Research and Innovation, Muscular Dystrophy UK
Relevant links
Muscular dystrophy press release (external website)
Muscular dystrophy website (external website)