MDA Launches ALS Translational Research Program

MDA has launched a new translational research program specifically for ALS. The term “translational” describes moving strategies that are ready to leave the laboratory through the appropriate administrative and regulatory pathways into clinical trials.

Translating research from “bench to bedside” can be difficult, because scientists aren’t always fully aware of how to move their cell and animal studies into the clinical arena, and physicians aren’t always fully aware of what’s going on in academic laboratories.

MDA’s general translational research program, which eases the way for such transitions, has been highly successful in moving gene re-reading strategies for Duchenne muscular dystrophy and myostatin protein blocking strategies for adult muscular dystrophies out of the lab and into testing in patients.