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Published in The Sunday Times of Malta: view PDF / view digital edition
University of Malta researchers have discovered a potential new drug target for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), raising hopes for the development of therapies that target a broad spectrum of patients. The study will be published in the Neurobiology of Aging journal. ALS is a progressive neurological disease affecting the nerves that control the muscles of the body. Due to the disease, muscles stop functioning leading to difficulties with walking, talking, eating, and, eventually breathing. The genetics of Maltese puts the population at a greater risk of developing ALS. Incidence rate of the disease in Malta is therefore greater than the European average. In the study, researchers switched off the gene SCFD1 in fruit flies to discover that this triggered ALS symptoms. Similar to patients, the organisms developed reduced mobility and a deterioration of the contact points between nerves and muscles. Flies are used in ALS research because of considerable genetic and biological similarities to humans.
UM ALS/MND Lab featured on UK Royal Society of Biology's flagship magazine 'The Biologist'23/3/2023 Feature entitled 'Lab Unlocked' can be accessed by clicking here.
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