"LA LGMD PUNTA I RIFLETTORI SULLA RICERCA".

Ricercatore LGMD: Jeffrey S. Chamberlain, Ph.D.

Affiliazione:  University of Washington School of Medicine

Ruolo o posizione:  Professor, McCaw Chair in Muscular Dystrophy, Director, Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Research Center-Seattle

Che tipo di istruzione e formazione ha seguito per arrivare alla sua posizione attuale?

I earned a B.A. and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry, then did post-doctoral training in Molecular Genetics

Cosa l'ha spinta a intraprendere una carriera nella ricerca e nello studio della distrofia muscolare in particolare?

While working on my Ph.D. I became interested in muscle development and started learning about muscle diseases.  I did post-doctoral training studying Duchenne muscular dystrophy and became interested in and intrigued by the concept of gene therapy.  When I started my own lab, I decided to focus on gene therapy for the muscular dystrophies as well as on studying the function of the proteins defective in the different dystrophies.

Quali argomenti state studiando?

I currently study methods for gene therapy of muscle disorders, including vectors to deliver genes to muscle tissues, gene regulatory cassettes to turn genes on and off in different tissues, and the role of the immune system in dystrophies and in the context of gene therapy.  I also study the function and interactions of different proteins that contribute to muscle function and disease, such as dystrophin and FKRP.

In che modo il suo lavoro aiuterà i pazienti? È di natura più scientifica o potrebbe diventare un trattamento per le LGMD o per i medici in generale?

Our work is both scientific and treatment focused.  We believe the best way to develop effective treatments is to have a detailed understanding of the basic biology behind various muscle disorders.  We use this basic research to guide the development of genes and delivery vehicles needed for safe and effective gene therapy.

Cosa vorrebbe che i pazienti e gli altri interessati alla LGMD sapessero sulla ricerca (sui vostri progetti e sul campo in generale)?

Gene therapy has gone from being a futuristic concept to a promising approach to treating inherited disorders.  Several gene therapies have now been approved for commercial use and can be prescribed by physicians.  I believe that gene therapies are the most promising approach to treating most of the different types of muscular dystrophy.  It is also important to realize that the challenges limiting the development of gene therapy for many dystrophies are the same for the various disorders, and that progress in one helps move treatments closer to the clinic for all the dystrophies.  Gene therapy trials are in progress for several muscular dystrophies and many more are close to being tested.  We are on the verge of a revolution in the development and application of new genetic therapies and I think this is an amazing time to see these new technologies finally beginning to help patients and their families.

Cosa la ispira a continuare a lavorare in questo campo?

I’ve worked on muscular dystrophy for 30 years, and am finally witnessing new therapies being applied and working in the clinic.  This is the most exciting time of my career and I am thrilled to be able to contribute to the development of new approaches for treating different types of muscle disorders.

In che modo i pazienti possono incoraggiarvi e aiutare il vostro lavoro?

Funding for scientific research is dropping nationwide, and in many quarters there seems to be almost a war on scientific ideas and principles being taught and explored.  The most important thing that patients and family members can do is to encourage members of their local and national governments to support scientific research at Universities nationwide.  Almost all the innovative and new approach to therapies, such as gene and cell therapies, are being developed exclusively at Universities before they are eventually taken up by biotech and big pharma.

 

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* * * Per saperne di più sulla distrofia muscolare della cintura degli arti (LGMD) o per leggere altre "Interviste Spotlight", visitate il nostro sito web all'indirizzo https://lgmd-info.org

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