A strength of the centre is the breadth of expertise of Principal Investigators (PIs)
in the diverse aspects of neuromuscular disease.
We use this to strengthen internationally competitive translational research.
Research led by centre PIs has identified pathogenic mutations in patients or rodent models of neuromuscular disease. These excellent individual research programmes will be brought together into a unique collection of coordinated research activities.
Challenges
So far there is no consensus about the minimal standards
that are required for the phenotypic analysis animal models of
neuromuscular disease.
In the past, analysis has more
often been determined by the interest and available techniques of
individual laboratories rather than by available techniques.
There is also a lack of understanding of how readouts in
animals relate to humans.
Communal Frameworks
Our aim is to establish the standard set of
tests for the comprehensive analysis of rodent models of neuromuscular
disease.
While many of the PIs have developed readout measures in their
laboratories tailored to their individual needs, they have not brought
together these results.
The resources of the centre are enabling the
establishment of a communal framework under which
neuromuscular diseases in rodents are examined.
A particular focus will be to establish methods that closely relate the phenotypes of animals and humans.
Facilities
We have established a core facility housing instruments for
all participating laboratories which will permit a rapid analysis of
animals.
A unique feature of our group is that we can analyse the neurobiology of different diseases in a coordinated way on a molecular, cellular and system level.