Collaborations

We are a highly collaborative laboratory and always welcome partnerships across laboratories and disciplines.

Discovery of Pharmacodynamic Molecular Biomarkers for Steroidal and Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

In collaboration with Christopher Heier, Ph.D., this work focuses on identifying microRNAs as biomarkers in inflammatory diseases. Specifically, we have defined how anti-inflammatory drugs (steroidal ligand/TNFα inhibitors) affect serum miRNA levels in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and in dystrophic mouse muscle after treatment with prednisone or the dissociative steroid, vamorolone (VBP15). Through this work, we describe microRNAs that correspond to disease severity, inflammation and drug response. Moving forward, we will utilize these miRNAs to define the efficacy of anti-inflammatory drug treatment in DMD and other inflammatory diseases.

MicroRNA Modulation to Increase Dystrophin Levels in Duchenne and Becker Muscular Dystrophy

In partnership with ReveraGen Biopharma and Eric Hoffman, M.D., our laboratory has a patent for the therapeutic targeting of dystrophin-targeting microRNAs to increase dystrophin levels in Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy.

MicroRNA Regulation in Myasthenia Gravis

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a neuromuscular disorder that causes weakness in the skeletal muscles. It occurs when communication between nerve cells and muscles becomes impaired. In collaboration with Anna Rostedt Punga, M.D., Ph.D, we are investigating transcription factors that regulate miRNAs that are dysregulated in the serum of patients with MG.