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Basic science discoveries drive novel approaches to disease
Dr. Staff's Translational Neuromuscular Disease Research Lab uses human neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells to study mechanisms of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, spinal muscular atrophy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
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People with neuromuscular diseases contribute to help develop new treatments
Ongoing research in the Translational Neuromuscular Disease Research Lab benefits from biosamples that volunteers with neuromuscular diseases provide. The biosamples are shared widely with collaborators to maximize the impact of these valuable gifts.
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Clinical trials test novel therapies
Dr. Staff's Translational Neuromuscular Disease Research Lab facilitates innovative clinical trials for neuromuscular diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.
Overview
The Translational Neuromuscular Disease Research Laboratory led by Nathan P. Staff, M.D., Ph.D., uses a wide range of methodologies to study basic biological mechanisms of neuromuscular disease and their direct application to patient care.
In the Translational Neuromuscular Disease Research Lab, Dr. Staff's research team:
- Investigates the molecular biology of neuromuscular disorders. The team focuses on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, spinal muscular atrophy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
- Collects human biosamples. The team provides opportunities for people who have neuromuscular diseases to volunteer by providing biosamples. This collaboration helps researchers understand the diseases of these volunteers with the ultimate goal of finding a cure.
- Participates in clinical trials. For new therapies to become available for patients, clinical trials must be completed to ensure safety and benefits. Dr. Staff helps lead a clinical research team that performs clinical trials that test therapies for ALS and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Working with industry and academic partners, the research team has opened multiple clinical trials for Mayo Clinic patients.
Notably, in collaboration with Mayo Clinic's Immune, Progenitor and Cell Therapeutics (IMPACT) Lab and Mayo Clinic's Center for Regenerative Biotherapeutics, Dr. Staff and his colleagues are at the leading edge of mesenchymal stem cell therapies for ALS.