MUSCULAR Dystrophy UK has announced that it is investing £2 million into 13 new pioneering research projects across England and Northern Ireland.
The leading charity for more than 110,000 children and adults in the UK, living with one of over 60 muscle wasting and weakening conditions, will be funding three 12-month grants, one two-year project grant, three three-year project grants and six four-year projects.
With the latest investment, this brings the charity’s total research commitment to almost £10 million. Across more than 25 conditions, it’s now supporting 51 active projects that aim to deepen understanding, explore new treatments, improve care and make a meaningful difference to the lives of those living with muscle wasting and weakening conditions.
Muscle wasting and weakening conditions can affect anyone, no matter where they live. The charity is adding to its portfolio of research that now spans the UK, which will help to reach more people and communities. The charity has awarded new funding to researchers in Belfast, Birmingham, London, Newcastle, Nottingham, Oxford and Portsmouth.
The research projects cover a range of different conditions, including Duchenne muscular dystrophy, facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), myofibrillar myopathies, spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and for the first time, the charity will fund research into VCP multisystem proteinopathy type 1 (VCP MSP-1).
VCP disease affects the function of the VCP protein, leading to damage to muscles, bones and nerve cells. It can cause a wide range of symptoms, including muscle weakness, bone disease, and, in some cases, issues with memory, though symptoms can vary significantly from person to person. There are currently no effective treatments, and scientists still don’t fully understand all the processes that lead to this damage or the reasons behind the differing symptoms.
Thanks to funding from the charity, researchers from Aston University and Newcastle University will focus on understanding more about the changes VCP disease cause inside the body. By building this knowledge, it could help scientists uncover new ways to treat the condition and lay the groundwork for future therapies.
For the third year in a row, the charity has increased its investment and will be supporting scientists at the very start of their careers, to help train the next generation of researchers. This year, the charity doubled the number of PhD students it’s funding, to help drive progress in treatments and care.
Kate Adcock, Director of Research and Innovation at Muscular Dystrophy UK, said:
“At Muscular Dystrophy UK, we’re proud to be increasing our investment in research year after year. We’re reaching new areas, exploring more conditions, and supporting a growing community of scientists. The projects this year reflect that ambition, as the work aims to improve lives today and shape the future of care and treatment. By doubling the number of PhD students we support, we’re also making a long-term commitment to the next generation of scientists and research into muscle wasting and weakening conditions.”
As well as funding research, the charity also shares expert advice and support for the muscle wasting community to live well now, works with the NHS towards universal access to specialist healthcare and campaigns for people’s rights, better understanding, accessibility, and access to treatments.
More details and information on Muscular Dystrophy UK’s research projects: musculardystrophyuk.org/
