Models of MND Archives - MND Research Blog

Improving the protection of motor neurons in MND

27 September 202327 September 2023Research Development Team1 Comment

Reading Time: 5 minutes I’m Hannah, an MND Association-funded first year PhD student at the University of Nottingham. During my undergraduate degree in Biochemistry, also at Nottingham, I had the opportunity to do a project researching MND in the lab, where my interest in MND began. During this project I also met someone who was living with MND, who had come to hear about the research happening in our lab. Hearing his insights into the devastating effects of MND really stuck with me, and I decided I wanted to begin a career in MND research. This led me to my PhD project, in which I am aiming to make a natural type of cell called astrocytes more protective of motor neurones. We hope that this work will inform us of a possible new way to treat MND.

A stepping stone to becoming future leaders in MND research

12 September 202312 September 2023Eleanor Green1 Comment

Reading Time: 6 minutes MND is a very complex disease and collaboration within the research community is key to building on our current understanding of the disease biology and finding effective treatments. The MND Association recognises the importance of expanding the dedicated MND research workforce, as well as supporting those who are already working in the field. To fund…

Developing a new model of C9orf72 MND

31 August 202331 August 2023Research Development Team

Reading Time: 3 minutes In June we hosted the second MND EnCouRage UK event for early career researchers (ECRs) which aims to support them to continue working in the field of MND. The event included lots of talks and workshops from senior researchers to provide tips and advice on moving forward in their careers and help them to develop…

Highlights from MND EnCouRage UK 2023

27 July 202327 July 2023Katie Tsang1 Comment

Reading Time: 5 minutes Hi everyone! My name’s Katie and I recently joined the Association as a Supporter Information Officer. My role offers me a unique perspective as I am in both the Research Team and the Development Team, which is part of Fundraising. Alongside our brilliant Research Team, I will be writing for the MND Research Blog on…

Making new models to study MND and Frontotemporal Dementia

7 June 20237 June 2023Katie Tsang

Reading Time: 3 minutes Introduction A genetic change in the C9orf72 gene is the most common genetic cause of motor neurone disease (MND), accounting for 40%-50% of people with familial MND and 5%-10% of people with sporadic MND. This genetic change in C9orf72 can also lead to behavioural symptoms of frontotemporal dementia (FTD), in some people with MND (around…

Could improving recycling in cells be a new target for future MND therapies?

25 May 202325 May 2023Eleanor Green

Reading Time: 5 minutes Recent research, led by scientists at the University of Edinburgh and University of Dundee, has identified abnormalities in a type of brain cell called microglia in MND associated with mutations in the C9orf72 gene. It has been suggested for a long time that motor neurons may not be the only type of cell involved in…

Are there differences between male and female motor neurones?

31 March 202331 March 2023Research Development Team

Reading Time: 4 minutes It is well known that more men are diagnosed with MND than women. It is not altogether clear exactly why this is the case and what different biology might be driving this. Perhaps this needs to be considered when researching MND. For example, should we take this into account when looking down the lens of…

Travel disruptions: transport along neurones in MND

23 August 202224 February 2023Research Development Team

Reading Time: 6 minutes A newly published paper in Acta Neuropathologica Communications has shed light on the behaviour of healthy motor neurones compared to motor neurones found in MND. This work looks to provide another crucial piece to the puzzle of what goes wrong with motor neurones in MND. The movement of substances along the motor neurones is known…

Global MND Awareness Day- Celebrating Collaboration

21 June 202221 June 2022Eleanor Green3 Comments

Reading Time: 5 minutes Each year, the 21st of June marks Global MND Awareness Day and MND Charites and Associations across the world acknowledge the impact that MND has on everyone who is affected by the disease. This year, we would like to recognise the dedication and commitment of the MND community who give their time and knowledge to…

Symposium Spotlight: CRISPR- the magic behind gene editing in MND

28 April 202229 April 2022Eleanor Green

Reading Time: 6 minutes As part of our Symposium Spotlight series, we’re looking back on some of the research presented at the 32nd International Symposium on ALS/MND. This blog takes a closer look at the Stephen Hawking Memorial Lecture (supported by The Stephen Hawking Foundation) which was presented by Professor Jennifer Doudna, a joint Nobel Prize winner for her…