Important step in developing cell therapies for muscular disease

LHI Scienctist Rita Perlingeiro, PhD, has been recognized by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases for her researcher into treating Duchennes Muscular Dystrophy by converting skin cells to healthy muscle cells.

In its 2011 Spotlight on Research, the NIAMS featured Dr. Perlingeiro's work in an article titled "Researchers Achieve Needed Levels of Stem Cells to Treat Muscle Disease in Mice". The story highlights the difficulties in cultivating enough mature cells to improve muscle function and her development of a new technique for cell production. This new process ensures the transplantation and survival of the cells and their capacity to restore lost muscle function in mice.

» Read the article online from the NIH website.

For more information on this exciting development, you can contact Dr. Perlingeiro at (612) 625-4984, or by e-mail at perli032umn.edu.