New stem cell model aims to identify motor neurone disease earlier
University of Wollongong team received $300,000 to create a fast motor neuron model for research.
Researchers at the University of Wollongong got $300,000 to develop a new model. The team used human stem cells to make a model of fast motor neurons.
Motor neurons are the first cells affected when a person gets motor neurone disease. The fatal disease happens when proteins misfold and kill nerve cells that control muscle movement.
Dr Jeremy Lum led the team. The new model will help researchers test treatments.
It will also help find the disease earlier. The project comes from work by the Yerbury Lab.
Scientists at the lab study why motor neurons are so vulnerable. MND became a notifiable disease in NSW in September.
By late October, 40 cases had been reported. These notifications give researchers new data to understand what causes the condition.
- 300,000 dollars
- Grant from FightMND
- Dr Jeremy Lum
- Research team lead
- 40 by late October
- Cases reported NSW
- September
- Notifiable disease status
Why it mattersEarlier disease detection could give patients more time to get treatment before symptoms get worse. This might help them live longer and have a better quality of life.
AustraliaAustralian MND patients and families may benefit from faster diagnosis and new treatment options as NSW data collection supports research breakthroughs.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
