Thursday, 29 August 2024
Experts at the University of Nottingham have received funding to carry out research to better understand what is happening in the heart, brain and muscles of people with myotonic dystrophy.
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 is funding Dr Ami Ketley from the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science.
The project will use a new technique and computer analysis to look at different tissues that have the same genetic information as people with myotonic dystrophy type 1, to understand what is exactly happening in the heart, brain and muscles.
The charity funds research projects that aim to improve diagnosis, monitor progression, and test potential new treatments. The 12 new grants bring the total number of research projects funded by Muscular Dystrophy UK to 51.
Dr Ami Ketley
Dr Ketley, Daphne Jackson Fellow at the University of Nottingham, said: “Throughout my research career I’ve been lucky to have close interactions with the Myotonic Dystrophy Support Group; presenting my work, receiving feedback and socialising with patients and their families. This has always been a huge source of inspiration and motivation for me and has allowed me to connect my work in the lab to real people.
“In recent years, the myotonic dystrophy research field has seen a significant push towards developing treatments and therapeutics. This project aims to identify new treatment ideas and understand how they’ll work across the different symptoms experienced by patients. I hope the data produced in this study will be a valuable tool in the wider myotonic dystrophy research field to aid in treatment advancement for patients.”
Dr Kate Adcock, Director of Research and Innovation at Muscular Dystrophy UK said: “Every year at Muscular Dystrophy UK, we look to fund the highest quality research that will not only bring research forward but also improve the lives of people living with muscle wasting and weakening conditions.
“We’re always delighted to fund research into a variety of conditions, including Dr Ami Ketley at University of Nottingham. Her project will help us to understand what happens in different tissues of people with myotonic dystrophy.”
As well as funding research, the charity also shares expert advice and support 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.
Read more about Dr Ami Ketley’s project and discover more about Muscular Dystrophy UK’s research projects: musculardystrophyuk.org/research
Notes to editors:
About the University of Nottingham
Ranked 32 in Europe and 16th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the second most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2022 report by High Fliers Research.
We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.
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