2017 MDF Research Fellows

In partnership with the Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation US, the Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation UK made the following Research Fellowship grants in 2017:

Anwesha Banerjee, PhD
Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, US

Dr. Banerjee’s project “Mechanism of CNS-associated behavioral dysfunction in novel mouse model of Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1” aims to understand underlying molecular mechanisms causing the CNS-associated deficits of DM1. This basic research is anticipated to facilitate the development of disease mechanism-targeted therapeutic interventions in DM1 patients. The goal is to develop a new mouse model to study brain dysfunction and provide new mechanistic insights into CNS-associated behavioral symptoms in myotonic dystrophy. The study also seeks to provide proof of concept that antisense oligonucleotides can restore brain function in DM1.

Kaalak Reddy, PhD
University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, US

The goal of Dr. Reddy’s research proposal, “Pre-clinical investigations of small molecule-mediated targeting of toxic RNA production in DM2” is to evaluate a novel therapeutic strategy aimed at reducing the production of toxic RNA. In collaboration with members of the Berglund and Ranum laboratories, Dr. Reddy will characterize the therapeutic properties of several small molecules that were recently shown in the Berglund lab to inhibit the production of the toxic DM1 and DM2 RNA and test the efficacy of the most promising lead compound panel in DM2 human cell and mouse models. The study will help determine if lead compounds recently identified in the Berglund laboratory can be developed as treatments for DM.